Why did Everton pull out of transfer for Beto? Udinese demands for striker

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Everton pulled the plug on a deadline day transfer for Udinese striker Beto having learned the Serie A side’s demands. The Toffees had seen a last-gasp offer for the forward fall flat.

That is according to the Mirror, which reports director of football Kevin Thelwell viewed Beto as Everton’s top target. But Udinese rejected the Goodison Park outfit’s bid out of hand as it fell well short of their price tag. The Toffees would then refuse to improve on their failed bid.

Thelwell was only prepared to pay the Bianconeri an initial £20m, plus £3m in add-ons, for the 25-year-old. The Everton chief appreciated what Beto could offer in the Premier League after scoring seven goals and assisting another over 20 appearances in Serie A this season.

Yet Udinese felt Beto was too valuable for their efforts to let him leave and told Everton to trigger his release clause for his transfer. Thelwell, though, would not increase the Toffees’ £23m bid to the £35m needed. So, the Goodison outfit walked away from all negotiations.

The Udine club could demand that the Blues paid his escape clause as he is under contract to June 2026. Beto agreed to sign a long-term contract with the Dacia Arena team last July. He joined from Portimonense for €7m (£6m), plus €3m (£2.5m) in add-ons, after a loan deal.

Thelwell failed to secure Everton a striker transfer after passing on Udinese’s Beto

Thelwell scoured Europe until the January transfer window closed to sign a striker for Sean Dyche. Yet the new Everton boss must now make do with Dominic Calvert-Lewin with Neal Maupay and Ellis Simms. The trio of forwards have a combined two Premier League goals.

Calvert-Lewin and Maupay have only scored once in the top-flight this season under Frank Lampard. While Simms is yet to find the back of the net after returning from a loan spell at Sunderland. Although the 22-year-old scored seven in 17 Championship games this season.

So, Thelwell could now come to rue passing on paying Beto’s release clause for his transfer to Everton. If Dyche is unable to get Calvert-Lewin performing – or the striker has yet more injuries – Maupay cannot improve and Simms cannot step up, the Toffees will be in trouble.