The defender finally made his move to England this summer
Everton’s new centre-half Ramiro Funes Mori has revealed he almost joined Chelsea a few years ago following a brief trial spell.
The Argentina international moved to Goodison Park in the recent transfer window for a fee of £9.7 million, joining from River Plate after Everton’s application for a work permit was successful.
However, the 24-year old admitted his Premier League move could have happened a few years earlier, after he spent two weeks on loan at current champions Chelsea with his brother Rogelio.
‘I’m extremely happy to be here at Everton’
“It can be said that it’s my second spell at England, I did a trial for Chelsea a few years ago alongside with my twin brother. We stayed at Chelsea for two weeks but had to leave because we didn’t have an European passport,” admitted Funes Mori.
“Well, I still don’t have a European passport but Everton truly wanted me. So now I hope to be ready and get used to playing in the Premier League as soon as possible.”
He also added: “I’m extremely happy to be here at Everton, this is a new adventure for me. Since I landed in Liverpool, Everton fans have showed me all their love even though they had not heard about me before.”
The centre-back also had an offer from La Liga side Villarreal, but he insists Roberto Martinez’s influence persuaded him to move to Merseyside.
“I’m so convinced about having moved to Everton. It’s true that Villarreal were after me too, but I didn’t even hesitate when Everton called me. Martinez told me that he trusts me.”
