Sandro Ramirez was coveted by Tottenham before securing a transfer to Everton on Monday, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The regional newspaper claim that the London giants were keen on signing the striker, 21, but were beaten by the punch by the most active Premier League club in the window this summer.
Everton continued their extensive recruitment drive by unveiling Ramirez on Monday night after he signed a four-year contract following his switch from Malaga.
???? | ¡Bienvenido, @sandroramirez9! The forward has signed a four-year deal, joining from @MalagaCF. #WelcomeSandro https://t.co/j5xjihkYaX
— Everton (@Everton) July 3, 2017
The former Barcelona man’s arrival has captured the imagination of supporters given that, as the Liverpool Echo report, “strikers are the star men, the ones with the golden touch”.
It is said that Ramirez is a “steal” given that it has cost Everton just £5.2million to trigger the release clause in the contract that the forward signed when he joined from Camp Nou last summer.
Tottenham were reportedly keen to sign him, as were Spanish heavyweights Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
Atletico missed out due to a transfer ban, which enabled Everton to push strongly for a player who showed huge promised in his native Spain last season.
Seven-time Spain Under-21 international Ramirez scored 16 goals from 31 matches in all competitions, with 14 of his strikes coming in the league.