£13 million Colombia international Daniel Munoz was offered to Premier League giants Everton during the summer transfer window, the defender’s agent told the Fiorentina blog.
With the 25-year-old looking for a route out of Genk, you can see why The Toffees were quickly made aware of his availability.
After all, it is not as if Everton’s desire for a new right-back was much of a secret.
The Toffees have spent many a transfer window searching for Seamus Coleman’s long-term successor and, despite being heavily linked with Jorge Sanchez, Kyle Walker-Peters, Nathan Patterson and Inter Milan newbie Denzel Dumfries, continued to hit obstacle after obstacle as a problem position remains unsolved.
It is uncertain, however, why Everton did not take up the chance to sign Munoz.
Perhaps they, like Serie A outfit Fiorentina, felt that Genk were demanding too much at £13 million.
Where next for Daniel Munoz?
“We were offering the player to Rafa Benitez’s Everton but then we also talked about him with Fiorentina,” said Munoz’s representative, Diego Carannante.
“Fiorentina liked the player but did not have the budget to buy him. Genk asked for 15 million euros. La Viola initially offered 7 million, but then I think the Viola wanted to loan a player instead, an experienced player like (Alvaro) Odriozola from Real Madrid.”
Spain international Odriozola did indeed arrive, signing on the dotted line despite being linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.
“Now, Munoz remains at Genk. In January we will see if there is the possibility of a transfer.”
Whether Everton will be chasing a right-sided defender yet again come the winter remains to be seen.
Much will depend on whether the evergreen but ageing Seamus Coleman can stay fit and fresh, or whether the out-of-favour Jonjoe Kenny can win over Benitez after a difficult start to life under Carlo Ancelotti’s successor.
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