Why Everton will rue Ola Aina transfer snub

Super Eagles defender Ola Aina was linked with a transfer to English Premier League side Everton in the summer transfer window, but they decided against pursuing the move, Afrik-Foot reports.

​After finishing 13th last season, Everton were expected to invest in their squad with the hope of pushing for a UEFA Conference League or Europa League spot.

​However, unlike most of their league rivals, they were very modest with their spending, even though they still needed to improve their full-back options and attacking department.

​The right-back position in particular needed reinforcement due to Seamus Coleman’s retirement and Jake O’Brien’s inconsistency.

​Two days before the transfer deadline, news broke that Everton had opened negotiations with Nottingham Forest over a move for Aina.

The links made sense, as the Super Eagles star is unarguably one of the best right-backs in the Premier League. He also has significant Premier League experience, having played for Chelsea, Fulham, and now Nottingham Forest.

​However, Everton pulled the plug on negotiations after fans protested against including academy graduate Harrison Armstrong in the deal.

​They ended up signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lyon instead.

​Why Everton May Regret Snubbing Ola Aina

​Due to a lack of quality at right-back, manager David Moyes opted to start midfielder Merlin Röhl in that position when they welcomed Manchester United to Goodison Park for Sunday’s Premier League clash.

​Because Maitland-Niles had only just arrived at the club and needed time to settle in, he did not start.

​Röhl was quite underwhelming at the back, visibly struggling to keep Marcus Rashford quiet. Rashford repeatedly beat him with pace and dribbling; had Rashford’s decision-making been sharper, Everton might have conceded from one of those openings.

​Only when Rashford was substituted did Röhl find any respite.

​Similar issues are bound to arise as the season progresses. Everton will continue to face rapid, dangerous wingers, and a lack of defensive solidity at right-back could prove costly.

​A player like Ola Aina could have easily solved this issue. Aina is remarkably reliable and robust in one-on-one duels. With him on the pitch, Everton would have looked far more assured defensively.

​Had Everton been serious about signing the 29-year-old Nigerian, they could have finalized the deal. Maitland-Niles, who scored the eventual equalizer for the Toffees, is a capable player, but he lacks Aina’s defensive solidity.

​Meanwhile, the Super Eagles star remains at Nottingham Forest with two years left on his contract. Under manager Oliver Glasner and following the arrival of Daniel Muñoz, he is unlikely to see significant playing time this season, raising the possibility of an exit in January or next summer.