Everton were linked with the Crystal Palace defender before his summer move.
Jaïro Riedewald in action for Ajax
Everton spent the final days of the summer transfer window searching for – among other things – a left-sided defender.
With Ramiro Funes Mori set to miss much of the campaign and forgotten man Luke Garbutt the only natural cover for Leighton Baines, bringing in someone who can operate equally well at centre- and left-back would have been ideal.
Thomas Vermaelen in action for Belgium
Barcelona veteran Thomas Vermaelen was one player under consideration, according to The Liverpool Echo, although their pursuit ultimately failed to bear fruit.
In hindsight, Everton should have perhaps pushed a little harder to sign the player for whom they are said to have lost out to Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace manager Frank de Boer
Whether or not Riedewald would have picked Everton anyway remains to be seen, with his first team chances arguably greater at Palace at the time, while the prospect of a reunion with Frank de Boer, the manager who gave him his debut at the Amsterdam ArenA, may have swung things in the Eagles’ favour regardless.
But – as new boy Nikola Vlasic will tell you (Liverpool Echo) – Everton have plenty going for them at present, and one can’t help but think a little more forward planning – of which they did plenty overall this summer – could have seen the Toffees triumph instead.
They’ll almost certainly struggle to find another in his mould, of his age, and at that price.
Should Everton have pushed harder for Riedewald?
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