Everton have confirmed the departure of Argentine defender Ramiro Funes Mori with the club’s fans in disbelief on Twitter amid reports the transfer fee could have risen to £17.5million.
The 27-year-old has signed for La Liga outfit Villarreal on a four-year-deal, as confirmed via the club’s official Twitter account.
?? | @funesmoriofi25 has joined @Eng_Villarreal on a four year deal for an undisclosed fee.https://t.co/2izpI3LYWe pic.twitter.com/ZalDRAblh9
— Everton (@Everton) June 21, 2018
Joining from Argentinian side River Plate in 2015, the 6ft 1in defender made 55 appearances at Goodison Park and developed a reputation for his aggressive style of play, with fans enjoying the passion that he displayed on the pitch.
However, he also displayed a habit of making costly mistakes and was erratic in his decision making, overall it was a move that never really paid off.
He was clearly not in the plans of new boss Marco Silva, and the club needs to press on with his transfer business if they are to push for a European place in the Premier League next season, especially with defensive reinforcements.
As reported by Sporx, the transfer fee is believed to be £17.5million, and some Toffees fans are in shock over the reported figure. Other fans confessed to being disappointed that he was leaving for pastures new.
This is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
Still trying to figure out how we got that much money for Funes Mori
— ben (@everton_ben_) June 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/Joshduffy99/status/1009938246548316160
Talk in Spain the Funes Mori fee is €8m. Sounds more believable than the numbers that Turkish site came up with. Having said that, not a fantastic fee.
— Harry Watt (@saywattharry) June 22, 2018
There’s no way on earth we got €20m for Funes Mori
— Jamie Rowland (@rowloefc) June 22, 2018
Can't see a Spainish team who finished outside the top 4 paying 17m for Funes Mori. Be shocked if it was half of that
— Joe O'Toole (@OToolejoe) June 22, 2018
Bit torn with Funes Mori going. Actually thought he had it in him to be a very good left sided centre back. 17 million quid is good business though. Take that. Williams next to go. Holgate and Keane starters with Jags off the bench.
— LeeM (@Pommyleemarshal) June 22, 2018