Everton Rejected 22-Year-Old After ‘Mad’ Leicester Fee: Was That The Right Call?

Everton Rejected 22-Year-Old After ‘Mad’ Leicester Fee: Was That The Right Call? Everton explored a move for Abdul Fatawu in 2025, yet Leicester City’s valuation pushed the Toffees away from a deal. Football Insider’s Goodison News report says Paddy Boyland of The Athletic discussed the episode on The Blue Room, with Everton having followed the Ghanaian winger for years, including his Sporting CP spell. The club first considered a loan, but Fatawu joined Leicester and gained regular Championship experience instead. By August 2025, Everton had shown interest again after failing with bids for Tyler Dibling, while reports said Leicester wanted a substantial fee. Sky Sports reported that Everton would not meet Leicester’s demands. Dibling eventually arrived for an initial £35m, with the package reported at up to £40m. Leicester later confirmed Fatawu’s permanent transfer to Ipswich in July 2026 for an undisclosed fee, after he recorded nine goals and eight assists in 44 Championship appearances during 2025/26. Everton passed on Abdul Fatawu: Was that the right call? LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Abdul Fatawu of Ipswich Town during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Crystal Palace FC and Ipswich Town at Selhurst Park on September 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images) For me, Everton ’s decision makes sense, although Fatawu’s qualities make the debate far less simple than one poor match suggests. His start at Ipswich shows both sides of his game. He has started five league matches, played 358 minutes, attempted 27 crosses and created six chances, while completing nine dribbles. That directness can trouble Premier League full-backs. Yet the trade-off matters. Fatawu has scored no goals and supplied one assist so far, while he has collected three yellow cards and one red. His dismissal against Everton came after a second yellow for simulation in the 67th minute, and Thierno Barry then settled a 1-0 win for Moyes’ side. The incident cannot define him, but it adds weight to concerns about decision-making. The bigger issue was the fee. Everton already committed heavily to young wide players, with Dibling costing £18m up front plus potential add-ons, while Tyrique George joined permanently after his loan. George’s deal includes an initial £18m and up to £6m in add-ons. That gives Moyes two younger wide options without paying Leicester’s reported premium for another similar profile. Fatawu can become an excellent Premier League winger. His crossing, acceleration and left-footed movement remain genuine weapons. Still, Everton had to consider squad balance, transfer cost and possession losses alongside that upside. For a club trying to spend carefully, that was just as important as Fatawu’s attacking talent at that stage. Walking away in 2025 therefore looks defensible, even if his raw ability continues to tempt comparisons.