Everton could have signed the now-West Ham United star earlier this year.
The Liverpool Echo claimed in January that Everton were interested in signing then-Southampton defender Jose Fonte.
Everton appear to have never acted on their reported interest and the 33-year-old wound up joining West Ham United for £8 million.
For the longest time that looked like a steal for Southampton based on the Portuguese defender’s struggles during his first five months in East London.
But Fonte is now arguably one of West Ham’s most important players and Everton would kill to have that kind of solidity in defence.
Much has been made over the Toffees’ defensive issues this season, with Ashley Williams enduring a dismal run of form for Ronald Koeman’s side.
And somebody like Fonte – tall, experienced, competent, composed – is precisely what the Dutch manager has needed to quell the run of soft goals conceded.
Since a 3-2 defeat at Southampton in August, Fonte might well be the Irons’ best player and you could forgive Koeman if he looks on envious at what might have been.
At £8 million, it’s more a case of what should have been but West Ham’s gain is definitely Everton’s loss.
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