The Japanese international headed to Galatasaray from Inter Milan in January.
Yuto Nagatomo of FC Internazionale in action
Everton had a fairly quiet January, compared to their very busy summer. Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott came in up front and Eliaquim Mangala joined on loan from Manchester City.
But they did not address one of their problem areas, left-back. Leighton Baines has struggled with injury this season and Cuco Martina has done an admirable but occasionally below-par job as a makeshift replacement.
Leighton Baines of Everton celebrates scoring his sides third goal
So what transfer, that did happen in January, should Everton realistically have also been in the race for?
One player who could have been perfect was Inter Milan’s departing left-back Yuto Nagatomo. The Japanese international joined Galatasaray on loan until the end of the season but Everton should have been tempting him to Goodison Park.
The 31-year-old, who transfermarkt report cost a €700,000 (£611,000) fee to head to Gala on loan, has been an integral part of the Inter team for several years now but found himself out of place this term. With the World Cup upcoming, he wanted regular game time before the tournament.
Yuto Nagatomo of Japan in action
Everton could have been the perfect destination for the experienced player. He is extremely alike to Baines in playing style and would have been a seamless replacement for the injured veteran.
It would not have been the long-term option or solution in the position, that is something Everton must soon start to ponder. But as a stop-gap till the end of the season the Japanese star would have been a perfect January addition for Sam Allardyce’s men.
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