Exclusive: Everton’s new Tom Fellows plan revealed after deal ‘agreed’
Everton are set to reignite their interest in West Brom winger Tom Fellows in the summer, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that an agreement had been reached with the player on transfer deadline day, but the two clubs could not finalise a fee.
David Moyes is keen to sign young, British talent to help bolster his squad and has worked to put plans in place for a new recruitment focus at Goodison Park.
Fellows, 21, has been a long-term target for the Toffees as Football Insider revealed in November 2023 that a number of English clubs had joined the race for his signature.
However, the Baggies’ asking price proved too steep on deadline day as they were keen to keep hold of their star academy product for the rest of the season.
That price is expected to drop again come the summer, when West Brom will have more time to assess the market and find a replacement using those funds.
Everton face competition in race to sign Tom Fellows from West Brom
Fellows has been one of the Championship’s most impressive young players this season, notching ten assists from his 30 appearances – the most in the division.
That has inspired interest from the likes of Crystal Palace, Ipswich and Southampton, with the latter two sides having seen bids rejected by West Brom in the summer.
Moyes is said to be a leading force behind that interest, as he is keen to recruit from the Championship after past success with Tim Cahill, Phil Jagielka and Jarrod Bowen.
Toffees miss out on four-player deadline day signing spree
Fellows was one of several players Everton failed to bring in late in the mid-season transfer window as they eyed a number of late deals to bolster Moyes’ side.
Football Insider revealed on 7 February that the Toffees had deals for four players lined up on deadline day but were only able to complete Charly Alcaraz’s loan move.
Profit and sustainability concerns restricted their winter spending activity and meant any deals had to be right for the club financially.
Everton had also prioritised a deal to sign a new striker to provide an alternative to Beto and Dominic Calvert-Lewin but were unable to find the right man.
For more Everton and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.