Lille winger Noah Fatar has rejected Everton in order to sign a three-year deal with Angers instead, according to France Football.
In director of football Marcel Brands, The Toffees have a man famed across Europe for his ability spot diamonds buried amongst the undergrowth.
After all, few had heard of Hirving Lozano, Sergio Romero, Kevin Strootman and Dries Mertens before Brands offered them the opportunity to become household names all across Europe.
And it is no coincidence that, since Brands replaced Steve Walsh at Goodison Park, Everton have set their sights on signing some of the most exciting, under-the-radar talent around with Jarrad Branthwaite being snapped up ahead of a host of Premier League rivals in January.
One player who does look set to slip through Brands’ net, however, is teen talent Fatar.
According to France Football, Fatar has turned his back on Lille despite their penchant for helping young wingers realise their potential, from Eden Hazard to Gervinho, Jonathan Bamba to Nicolas Pepe.
The Franco-Moroccan is set to join Angers on a contract until 2023 – turning down Everton in order to put down his roots in northern France.
Angers, like Lille, have a reputation for giving a platform for budding youngsters, with former Arsenal midfielder Jeff Reine-Adelaide sealing a mega-money move to Lyon after proving himself at the Ligue 1 outfit.
Fatar obviously feels Angers is the right destination at a crucial juncture in his young career – Brands or no Brands.
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