Everton's failure to sign a single player during the January transfer window has been a source of frustration for supporters, but it appears that it wasn't for a lack of trying by the club.
According to reports, the Blues made a last-ditch attempt to lure Udinese forward Beto to Goodison Park, with a large offer just days before transfer deadline day.
On Wednesday (as per Sport Witness), the Italian club's director, Pierpaolo Marino, is quoted as saying: "I can confirm that our owners — Pozzo family — have turned down an important, huge bid for Beto at the end of January. The bid was from Everton in the final days of the window. Udinese feel they could sell Beto in July.”
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Beto's teammate, defender Rodrigo Becao, could also leave the club at the end of the season and the theory that Everton could return to the table in the summer for both players is backed up by Udineseblog who say: "A hypothesis not to be discarded could be the one that sees a 44 million euro offer to have both players in the summer. Ideas or suggestions that could take shape in the coming weeks.
"What is certain is that the Everton manager Sean Dyche has suggested the name of Beto and, after the 'no' received in January, is preparing to return to office for the striker in the summer."
Dyche will likely make the acquisition of a new striker a priority next season after the sale of Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United has left Demarai Gray as Everton's top scorer this season with just five goals in all competitions.
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