Everton made a surprise late swoop for Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala on the final day of the January transfer window.
The Toffees recruited Mangala on loan until the end of the season, as Sam Allardyce finally fulfilled his ambition to land a left-footed central defender for the remainder of the campaign.
It was a move that came as something of a surprise to many and, according to a report from French news outlet La Voix da Nord, Mangala was not Everton’s first choice central defender in the January transfer window.
It’s claimed that Lille centre-back Adama Soumaoro was the club’s preferred option, with the Toffees having been impressed by his performances in Ligue 1, having extensively scouted him.
Reports indicated that Everton had lodged a bid worth £19m for the centre-back but with Lille in a hugely concerning position and at risk of relegation, the French giants were not receptive to talks over a move away for their star defender.
Martyn Glover and Steve Walsh both took trips out to France to observe Soumaoro in action but no deal was able to be tied up in the mid-season window.
It remains to be seen, though, whether Everton will reignite their interest in the player in the summer, when Mangala’s loan deal will expire.
