Super Eagles legend Daniel Amokachi has revealed that he came close to joining Italian giants Juventus before Everton stepped in to complete a record-breaking transfer following his outstanding performances at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports.
Amokachi arrived at the tournament in the United States as one of Nigeria's key players after helping the country qualify for its first-ever World Cup appearance. The powerful forward, then playing for Belgian side Club Brugge, quickly became one of the stars of the competition.
He scored in Nigeria's famous 3-0 victory over Bulgaria in Dallas, becoming the youngest African goalscorer in World Cup history at the time. He followed that up with another goal in a 2-0 win over Greece, becoming the first Nigerian player to score twice at a World Cup.
Those displays attracted interest from several leading European clubs, with Juventus emerging as a serious contender for his signature. However, the move never materialised and Everton seized the opportunity.
Juventus deal collapses as Everton move emerges
Speaking on the Alive and Kicking podcast as per The Liverpool Echo, Amokachi explained how his transfer to Merseyside happened unexpectedly while negotiations with Juventus were progressing.
He said: “The move to Goodison Park just came out of the blue. My agent and Club Brugge were deep in talks over a move to Juventus.
“I was sitting back, continuing to do my training during pre-season. Then I think the deal fell through and I got a phone call saying Everton are willing to take you in.
“I said, ‘I'd love to be in the Premier League, it's an experience for me'. But they told me, ‘ah but it’s Everton and they’re a racist club'.
“I said, ‘I don't think if they were racist they would spend so much on a black man from Africa'. I ended up putting pen to paper at Goodison and from the moment I came out of the tunnel to be introduced I felt the love of my life.”
Everton had first been linked with Amokachi, who is now pursuing a coaching career, in August 1994. Within days, the deal was completed for a club-record £3 million fee, surpassing the £2.2 million Everton had paid for Tony Cottee six years earlier.
Super Eagles star, a Goodison cult hero
Although Amokachi never became a prolific scorer during his two seasons at Everton, he earned legendary status among supporters. Nicknamed “The Bull”, he made 43 Premier League appearances and scored 10 league goals between 1994 and 1996.
His most famous moment came in the 1995 FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur. With Everton leading 2-1 and Paul Rideout injured, Amokachi reportedly approached the fourth official and brought himself into the game without manager Joe Royle's instruction. He then scored twice to seal a 4-1 victory in what Royle later described as “the greatest substitution I never made”.
Amokachi also featured from the bench as Everton defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup final, securing the club's last major trophy for many years.
After leaving Everton in 1996, he joined Turkish powerhouse Beşiktaş for £1.75 million. There he enjoyed one of the most productive periods of his career, scoring 19 goals – missing the top ten – in 97 appearances and helping the club win the Turkish Cup and Turkish President's Cup in 1998.
A serious knee injury suffered around the 1998 World Cup eventually curtailed his career. Proposed moves to 1860 Munich and Tranmere Rovers collapsed after failed medicals before brief spells in the United States, the UAE and Nigeria. He eventually retired after serving as player-manager of Nasarawa United.
