Everton are known as a club that has picked up a few bargains over the last few years.
Seamus Coleman’s puny transfer from Sligo Rovers is the regular basis of a fans chant at Goodison, but reports this morning suggest the club missed out on a possible world superstar 18 months ago.
Anthony Martial has scored with every single shot on target so far in this year’s Premier League, and made a remarkable impact on his Manchester United debut against Liverpool last month.
Such an impact in fact that he was this morning named Premier League player of the month. He is the first United player to claim the accolade in more than two years, dating back to Robin van Persie in April 2013.
Congratulations to @AnthonyMartial, who's been named as @PremierLeague Player of the Month for September! pic.twitter.com/1ovemuda88
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 16, 2015
But the young Frenchman could have arrived in the Premier League a full 18 months ago if Everton had got their man during the January transfer window of early 2014.
According to reports this morning, the former Monaco striker was very keen on life on Merseyside and was a key target of Roberto Martinez for a loan move.
Martial was seeking game time to aid his development before breaking into the Monaco first eleven, and was extensively scouted by Everton’s Kevin Reeves.
However the French club blocked the move due to his age, and instead Everton got landed with constantly crocked frontman Lacina Traore.
He barely kicked a ball through constant injury, and the club were left to rue a major missed opportunity when the striker ended up at Old Trafford this summer for over €50million
Everton face Manchester United this Sunday and Martinez will get a chance to see the player he so desired in the flesh.
