It was reported in 2021 that Everton were close to signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is now one of the best wingers in the world at Paris Saint-Germain.

Ancelotti also wanted Zlatan Ibrahimovic before he decided to join Serie A giants AC Milan in the January 2020 transfer window.

There is another high-profile player the now Brazil manager wanted during his tenure on Merseyside and he’s now plying his trade at Manchester City.

Everton once tried to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma

Back in 2020, Italian outlet Gazetta dello Sport reported that Everton were trying to pull off an audacious swoop for then AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Ancelotti was trying to provide Jordan Pickford with real competition, and there was a belief Milan would sell Donnarumma if his £47m price tag was met.

Of course, that never materialised, and the Italian shotstopper ended up staying at the Serie A giants until he joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

Donnarumma won the Champions League there and established himself as a ‘world class’ (Mark Ogden) goalkeeper.

Now he’s at Manchester City and impressed in his debut against Manchester United on Sunday,

Jordan Pickford has proved his worth

It’s almost impossible to think that Pickford could’ve been replaced as Everton’s number one, considering how good he’s been since 2020.

The England number one has become a perennial point-saver and was the difference maker in the relegation battles under Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche.

Everton want to put Pickford on a new contract that would keep him at the club until he decides to call time on his playing career.

So quite clearly, missing out on Donnarumma turned out for the best.