Marcel Brands had a lucky escape one year ago when Everton agreed to release Sandro Ramirez from his contract so the striker could complete a last-gasp move to SD Huesca.
Sandro marked one of the last disastrous purchases of the Steve Walsh and Ronald Koeman era to leave Goodison Park. The Toffees had edged interest from Atletico Madrid in 2017 to sign the Spaniard by activating a £5.25m release clause in his Malaga deal.
But the Blues’ swoop proved to be a nightmare, as Sandro failed to fulfil his potential on Merseyside. The former Barcelona prospect scored just once in 15 appearances before a loan spell with Sevilla. And further loans with Real Sociedad and Valladolid would follow.
Everton Director of Football Brands sought to offload Sandro last year, but to no avail. The Toffees eventually agreed to rip up the last year of his £86k-a-week contract and waive any fees to see that he left on Deadline Day last October 5, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Huesca sealed Sandro’s arrival from Everton right on the 23:00 cut off, and awarded him a three-year deal. Yet the 26-year-old has left El Alcoraz within a year of his transfer, having joined Getafe on loan this summer.
Sandro failed to keep Huesca in La Liga last term with five goals in 20 games, coincidently his best top-flight return since before the forward joined Everton. He never scored in the Premier League and also failed to find the net for either Sevilla or Real Sociedad.
Sandro finally finding form after Everton exit
Getafe are seeing the benefits of Sandro’s slim return to form at El Alcoraz last season. He has scored twice in six La Liga fixtures so far this term, including once against Koeman’s Barcelona. Although the Coliseum Alfonso Perez outfit still lost 2-1 at the Camp Nou.
Everton will have no regrets over their decision to terminate Sandro’s contract a year early so he could join Huesca. The forward continually fails to flatter back in Spain and will hope Getafe marks the start of a brighter future.
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