Everton fans have been met with more miserable news after Andre Ayew rejected them in favour of a move to Nottingham Forest.
The Ghana international – who has 21 Premier League goals to his name – was a target for the cash strapped Toffees following a disappointing January transfer window, in which no new signings were made.
To make matters worse, Everton actually end up weakening themselves by selling Anthony Gordon, and failed to reinvest a single penny of the £45m sum on deadline day.
So, why did Ayew reject Everton for Nottingham Forest? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well, Alex Crook of talkSPORT has now revealed the “key” detail behind Ayew’s decision.
The 33-year-old rejected Everton because of his relationship with Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper, who he played under at Swansea to great effect.
Ayew scored more under the 43-year-old than he has for any other manager throughout his career, netting 35 goals in 94 appearances while working with the Welshman. He also provided 12 assists.
Crook wrote on Twitter: “Another target Everton are destined to miss out on as Ayew prefers Nottingham Forest. Relationship with Steve Cooper key.”
You can see the talkSPORT journalist’s tweet in full below.
Cooper seemingly loved working with Ayew during their time together at the Liberty Stadium, calling him “brilliant in every way, shape or form” as the pair reached the Championship play-off final together in May 2021.
Sadly, the Swans suffered a 2-0 defeat to Brentford in that game, before Cooper was sacked just weeks later in July.
However, it now seems as if the Welshman will get another chance to work with Ayew at Nottingham Forest.
Andre Ayew rejection sums things up for Everton
After a frankly unacceptable January transfer window from those in the boardroom at Goodison Park, the least supporters were expecting was the signing of someone like Ayew to help Sean Dyche.
However, the Toffees haven’t even been able to make sure of that, in a development which adds salt to the wounds for plenty of Everton fans.
As detailed by us on HITC Football after transfer deadline day, there are still some potentially impactful free agents out there such as Artem Dzyuba and Isco, so be sure to keep an eye out to see if Everton approach anyone else.
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