As per Spanish publication Sport, Everton’s search for a left-sided centre-back saw them table a £7.1million deadline day bid for Espanyol’s Mario Hermoso last month.
The La Liga outfit, however, knocked back their offer as they reckon the former Real Madrid youth team player will be worth much more by summer, leading the Toffees to make a late loan swoop on Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala.
Hermoso’s ability to also play at left-back attracted Everton, but they will now have to stick with Cuco Martina until the injured Leighton Baines returns.
Real Madrid retain the rights to bring the 22-year-old back to the Bernabeu for £13.3 million, while his release clause stands at £35.5million.
It remains to be seen if the Merseysiders will return for Hermoso’s signature by summer, but the fact remains that they still need reinforcements in the department, and the highly-rated Spaniard fits the bill.
He recently played a big role in restricting Barcelona to scoring just 3 goals and getting 1 win in 3 games against his side within the space of 2 weeks, and he is likely to keep impressing Everton scouts who are set to keep running the rule over him till summer.
