After coming so close in 2009, The Toffees have failed to snare the South American for the second time.
Ever Banega could leave Inter Milan for the moneyed land of China, Football Italia reports, blowing any remaining Everton hopes of signing him out of the water.
The Argentina all-rounder lifted the Europa League on two occasions with Sevilla and looked certain to be one of the most astute signings on the continent when he arrived at the San Siro in the summer on a free contract.
However, barring a few flashes of brilliance such as his long-range rocket in the 3-0 win against Lazio last month, Banega has failed to replicate his influence at Andalucía on an Inter side who have spent the majority of the campaign loitering in mid table with Stefano Piola, the club’s third manager of the season, only handed him three starts since taking over.
The Mirror reported that Everton were in negotiations over a bargain £8 million deal for a player who came close to arriving at Goodison Park from Valencia all the way back in 2009 only for the Spanish giants to scupper the deal due to their inability to find a replacement.
And The Toffees now look certain to miss out on one of the world’s most complete midfielders once again.
Football Italia reporting that uber-rich Chinese Super League duo Hebei China Fortune and Beijing Guoan are both keen on adding him to the nation’s ever-growing list of big-name imports.
Banega will undoubtedly earn huge sums if he decides to follow the likes of Axel Witsel and Hulk to the nouveau-riche Asian league while Everton will once again be left frustrated as another transfer target slips through their fingers.
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