Everton have dropped the ball as Brentford land Ezri Konsa

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Everton have been linked with Charlton Athletic defender Ezri Konsa for months – but Championship side Brentford have now snapped him up.

Everton looked set to win the race for the exciting Charlton Athletic defender Ezri Konsa back in January.

One year after signing his former Addicks team-mate Ademola Lookman, The Toffees were reportedly about to raid The Valley again with England U20 ace Konsa establishing himself as one of the most promising defensive talents in the Football League.

But, in a surprise twist, The Mail (live blog, 3.14pm) then reported that Everton had suddenly got cold feet as they were unwilling to match the £5 million price-tag Charlton had put on the 20-year-old’s head.

Why Everton did not revisit their interest this summer, however, is anyone’s guess.

The Toffees are crying out for new additions at centre-half with Ramiro Funes-Mori and Ashley Williams expected to be sold, according to The Mirror, Phil Jagielka in his mid-30s and Michael Keane yet to prove that he’s good enough.

But according to News Shoper, Brentford have somehow been able to snap up Konsa for as little as £2.5 million – half the fee Everton were reportedly told to pay in January.

If Everton rated the defender so high but wanted to sign him on a reduced fee, it is a mystery why they did not jump at the chance to sign him for just £2.5 million. If Konsa ends up fulfilling his huge potential, The Toffees will have made a major mistake.