ALL BETS ARE OFF

Frustration for new Everton boss Dyche and the fans as club fail to seal deals for strikers Beto and Dembele

EVERTON are facing a backlash from their fans after a day of rising anger at transfer-window frustrations at the club.

New Blues boss Sean Dyche was desperate to strengthen his forward line as he looks to beat off the looming threat of relegation.

But Everton were thwarted in the chase for their top targets, with Udinese dismissing a bid of about £20million, rising to £23m with add-ons, for their 6ft 4in Portugal striker Beto Betuncal (above, far right).

The Italians refused to budge from the buy-out clause figure of £35m, with negotiations dragging on into the night. Everton had also pursued Lyon’s proven goalscorer Moussa Dembele (above), but the former Celtic striker is available on a free at the end of the season and he indicated he is prepared to stay in France until the summer.

It was a day of real frustration for owner Farhad Moshiri, who had promised fans there would be a striker landed to ease relegation fears.

But Everton lost out to Southampton on two targets, with the south-coast club agreeing a £20m fee for Rennes forward Kamaldeen Sulemana, who is regarded as a bright young prospect at 20. Saints also agreed a late deal for Genk’s giant centreforward Paul Onuachu, who is 6ft 7in, with a deal of about £17m thrashed out as the deadline approached.

That left fans bewildered with increasing social media criticism of the owner, especially after it became clear that Everton were interested in Andre Ayew, 33, (left) who is a free agent.

He left Qatar club Al Sadd last week by mutual consent, which means the Blues can continue negotiations with the former Swansea and West Ham forward after the window closes.

The Toffees were also linked with Reading’s 29-year-old striker Lucas Joao, who at 6ft 4in tall fits the bill for a targetman, but was an underwhelming name for fans, after spending seven years in the Championship without much success.

Everton did have other targets, with Chelsea’s rising young star Omari Hutchinson, 19, offered on a loan deal, but the club felt he was too young to make a difference in their relegation scrap.

There was also interest in Roma forward Nicolo Zaniolo, but again the fee was an issue, with the Italians wanting close to £30m.