Everton told they’ve missed out on the ‘perfect’ £3m bargain signing

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Leeds United forward Rodrigo Moreno would have been a ‘perfect’ £3 million signing for goal-shy Premier League outfit Everton, according to former England international Danny Murphy. 

But while the £3 million relegation clause in the Spain international’s contract would have hardly taken a chunk out of even Sean Dyche’s restricted transfer budget, when it comes to wages, Everton’s offer would pale in comparison to those arriving from the Middle East. 

According to the Daily Mail, Everton did hold an interest in Rodrigo Moreno. 

The former Valencia schemer is set to undergo a medical at Qatari side Al Rayyan instead, however; a move which will presumably see Rodrigo earn a big rise on his £100,000-a-week Elland Road wages (Fabrizio Romano). 

And while Everton were never likely to match the terms on offer at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Murphy feels that The Toffees may struggle to find another ‘proven Premier League’ goalscorer available for as little as £3 million. 

Everton miss out on Leeds striker Rodrigo Moreno

“I did read a couple of weeks ago a link with Everton, which I thought was perfect!,” Murphy tells talkSPORT (12 July, 12pm).  

“He’s a goalscorer. And the thing other than scoring goals, which is key for a forward, is his tenacity and work-rate off the ball. (That side of his game) is phenomenal.

“Everton desperately need someone like him. (Rodrigo) scores goals, he’s up for it, physical, a great left peg. And if you can get him for £3 million…” 

Rodrigo scored 13 goals in 23 starts as Leeds suffered relegation in 2022/23. That is six more than anyone in Dyche’s squad managed; Dominic Calvert-Lewin enduring another campaign littered with injury and Neal Maupay struggling to make any sort of an impression in his place. 

Everton do at least have money to spend after selling Anthony Gordon and Moise Kean to Newcastle United and Juventus respectively, but they appear poles apart in negotiations for UD Almeria frontman El Bilal Toure. 

Toure has a £34 million release clause in his contract. Everton, however, would prefer to take the 21-year-old on loan initially, an approach which has taken Almeria by ‘surprise’.