Duncan Ferguson reveals Everton ‘TURNED DOWN’ the chance to sign Erling Haaland

Former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson has revealed that the club has turned down the chance to sign Erling Haaland.

Haaland arrived in England this summer to much fanfare from Borussia Dortmund and has lived up to his reputation as one of the continent’s foremost strikers, scoring 22 goals in his first 16 appearances for Manchester City.

However, history could have looked very different according to Ferguson.

Speaking of William Hill and Footy Accumulators’ No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast, Ferguson revealed: ‘He’s going to be incredible, isn’t he? But believe it or not, I’ll tell you a story, he was at Everton.

“His father (Alf-Inge) brought him in at Everton and they never signed him.

“He was brought in when he was about 15 or 16 years old and the team he was with at the time wanted a few million pounds for him and Everton didn’t want to buy him.

The former Everton forward said Haaland’s father Alf-Inge brought him to the club’s training ground but they missed the opportunity

Everton didn’t think it was the right move for them at the time.

“I’m pretty sure if his father had brought him to Everton, he would have brought him to Leeds because his father played for Leeds and Manchester City.

“I’m pretty sure he would have taken him to a few clubs around that age.”

Haaland has exploded since his arrival at City and was the standout player across Europe in the early months of the season.

Everton’s very recent history is a tale of poor team management, with the many signings of recent years failing to live up to the often excessive fees set by the club.

The club are trying to rectify some of those rather costly errors of judgment under Frank Lampard that have impressed the side so far this season.

Haaland has had an exciting start to his life in England, scoring 22 goals in all competitions

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insisted Erling Haaland will not play against Sevilla

Meanwhile, City continues to sweat over the fitness of Norwegian Haaland, with the 22-year-old having to miss Wednesday night’s game against Sevilla due to the injury he sustained in Germany last week.

The club are hoping he will return to the side for Fulham’s visit to the Etihad this weekend.

“I’m pretty sure if his father had brought him to Everton, he would have brought him to Leeds because his father played for Leeds and Manchester City,” Guardiola said on Tuesday.

“I’m pretty sure he would have taken him to a few clubs around that age.”

The Norwegian talisman injured his foot last week during City’s 0-0 draw against Dortmund