During his first two years in English football, Enner Valencia failed to really make his mark in the Premier League at West Ham.
After scoring just 10 goals in 72 appearances, a decision was made by West Ham to allow Valencia leave the club but after failing to find the right deal for a permanent sale, he was allowed to leave on loan and joined Everton.
A bit-part player for the Toffees this season, making just 19 appearances across all competitions including just six Premier League starts, he’s netted three goals but there’s a belief that his overall level of play has been decent and he continues to improve.
That being said, as part of the deal to send the 27-year-old striker to Goodison Park, there was a purchasing option built into the deal which was initially reported at £14.5m.
However, the Liverpool Echo claim that figure is wide of the mark and the actual fee for Everton to sign the Ecuadorian on a permanent basis stands at £12m, which is in the region of the fee West Ham paid Mexican side Pachuca to bring Valencia to the club after the 2014 World Cup where he scored three goals.
Valencia has fallen out of favour at West Ham and a number of clubs in England and abroad are allegedly keen on signing him if Everton deem the £12m price-tag too much.
In 2017, Ronald Koeman’s side have averaged a goal every 10 minutes when Valencia has been on the pitch, which seems to suggest he’s having a great impact especially in the attacking third.
Valencia has been a decent squad option this term, but with the investment in hungry young talent, in addition to a likely European campaign, it remains to be seen if there’s a long-term place for him at Everton.
