In January, it was confirmed by several North-East reporters that Steve Bruce was offered the chance to sign Everton striker Cenk Tosun on loan.
Bruce said no, believing the Turkish international ‘wasn’t better than what he already had’, and he went on to join Crystal Palace until the end of the season a few days later.
With Joelinton out of sorts, Carroll injured and Gayle and Muto struggling to stay fit, some felt it was a mistake on Bruce’s part at the time – but the latest turn of events suggest he may have made the right decisiom.
After scoring once in his 2 starts for the Eagles, the 28-year-old’s loan spell at Selhurst Park has already come to an abrupt end after he ruptured his ACL in training this week.
He’s now back at Everton for surgery and will be out for around 6-8 months – meaning he’ll miss EURO 2020 and the start of next season – but The Athletic claim Crystal Palace have still been ordered to pay a £1m loan fee.
A good player who could’ve been a useful signing, yet a potential bullet dodged as it turns out!
Hopefully he makes a full and swift recovery.
