Everton were desperately in need of a new centre-back in their rank before Thursday’s 11pm deadline and should have tried harder in completing a deal for Porto captain Ivan Marcano.
According to the Daily Mail, it claimed that the Toffees were interest in signing the 30-year-old stopper bulldozer before the end of the transfer window, but a move failed to materialize prior to the transfer deadline.
The Merseyside desperately need another option at centre-back as they prepare to compete in four different competitions this season after qualifying for the group stages of the Europa League.
However, 26-year-old Argentina international Ramiro Funes Mori, is set to miss the majority of the 2017/18 season after undergoing surgery to correct a knee problem he suffered back in March while on international duty.
The ex-River Plate defender went under the knife in Barcelona and is not expected to return to action until six to nine months, leaving a void at the back.
It leaves Ronaldo Koeman’s side with just Michael Keane, Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams as youngster Matthew Pennginton has joined Leeds on a season-long loan deal.
Both Jagielka and Williams are now well into their thirties and rest periods will be needed, but Everton games are set to come tough and fast due to their participation in Europe.
A new central defender with plenty of European experience was needed then, and Marcano would have been the best signing to bring to Toffees if he decided to join them and leave Champions League side Porto.
Mercano commanding nature and willingness to put his body on the line is second to none, almost the Spanish version of ex-Chelsea and England captain John Terry.
In the final year of his contract, a cut-price deal could have been reached which would have suited Everton who have spent huge amounts this summer on the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Jordan Pickford and Davy Klaassen.
Turning out for Villarreal, Racing Santander, Getafe, Olympiacos, Rubin Kazan and Porto, Marcano has accumulated a huge 71 Champions Legaue and Europa League appearance and that would have proven pivotal.
However, Everton must now hope that Keane, Williams and Jagielka go without injury, at least until January.