Everton let striker leave for free after 'bargain' transfer predicted Champions League run

Everton let striker leave for free after 'bargain' transfer predicted Champions League run

Sandro Ramirez, who turns 30 today, struggled at Everton after moving from La Liga side Malaga in 2017

Sandro struggled after his move to Everton (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The most underwhelming signing Everton have made? For a certain generation of supporters, Sandro Ramirez would likely top that list.

As the Blues close in on another exciting young forward from La Liga in Thierno Barry - he flew in to Liverpool on Tuesday to have a medical before a potential £27.5m transfer - the last player they had in a similar bracket turns 30 years old today.

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And while Barry has all the hallmarks of an excellent young player - he scored 11 goals in the Spanish top flight last season and helped Villarreal qualify for the Champions League - Sandro's turbulent stint in English football is a reminder of how difficult it can be for players to make the transition to the Premier League.

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Because when Sandro signed for Everton in 2017, it felt like a transfer that really couldn't go wrong.

At the time, the Blues triggered a £5.2 million release clause in the forward's contract at Malaga. Sandro had scored an impressive 16 goals in 31 appearances in the Spanish top flight. His bustling and direct style drew comparisons to Jamie Vardy.

He was linked with a return to Barcelona where he came through the club's La Masia youth academy, while Atletico Madrid were also strongly linked. However, he eventually opted for Everton, who were looking to add goals to the team after the sale of Romelu Lukaku.

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"They have got big plans and want to succeed and keep developing," Sandro said upon arrival. "I'm hoping I can get to know my team-mates as soon as possible, and want to adapt to the football and the way of life in the city.

"Everton have made some big signings and we're hoping we can put in a great season and hopefully then we can achieve that aim of getting in the Champions League. It will be a big season for us."

Given his age and potential, a five-year contract seemed sensible for Sandro. It was reported he was earning in the region of £65,000-a-week, but that money was standard fare for the then big-spending Blues under Farhad Moshiri's stewardship.

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In pre-season there were some exciting glimpses from the new No.9. Sandro scored after a minute in the Goodison Park friendly against Sevilla, donning what has become a much cherished retro-style shirt.

He then started three of the first four games of the Premier League campaign - missing the other with a heel injury. It was in the fourth of these, a 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, when the warning signs started to blare loudly; Sandro was taken off at half-time with the team toiling.

That game, on September 9, would be his last start for Everton in the Premier League. As the team struggled for form, Ronald Koeman was eventually sacked, leaving a number of the summer signings in limbo and the team lurching towards a relegation battle.

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It was during that period when David Unsworth was interim manager that Sandro scored his only goal for the club. It wasn't one to celebrate though - the consolation in a 5-1 hammering at home to Atalanta in the Europa League.

When Sam Allardyce came in, the only other significant minutes Sandro received in the league were against Chelsea in December, when he came off the bench at half-time in a turgid 0-0. draw With the transfer window looming, already speculation was buzzing about a return to Spain.

Sevilla gave Sandro a route back to his homeland that January. "England is very different," he said after making the move. "The life is different, people are different, but now I come to a big city and a great club.

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"I can honestly say that I want to continue at Sevilla. It was a complicated negotiation because Everton didn't loosen the rope. In the end I was able to come and in two weeks I've seen it in my football, and what I want is Sevilla."

Nevertheless, he would only net two goals in 18 appearances in Andalusia and after returning to Everton that summer more loans would follow. First to Real Sociedad (2018-19) and then to Real Valladolid (2019-20).

It was three years after his initial arrival that Sandro left Everton permanently, as he joined Huesca on a free transfer. He is now back at Las Palmas where he spent seven years as a youth player before being picked up by Barcelona.

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