Carlo Ancelotti admits he tried repeatedly to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Calvert-Lewin ensured Ancelotti opened his Everton reign with a 100 per cent record courtesy of back-to-back wins against Burnley and Newcastle United.
The striker’s three goals tipped the balance of both games in the Blues’ favour and followed an impressive spell under caretaker Duncan Ferguson.
Ancelotti recently revealed that he courted Calvert-Lewin’s strike partner Moise Kean last summer prior to his move to Goodison Park from Juventus.
But the Champions League-winning coach conceded that the industrious 22-year-old was also on his transfer wish list while in charge of Napoli.
“He was a player we followed as a young striker,” confirmed Ancelotti.
“He was one of the players we followed but there was no possibility [to sign him].
“There are a lot of people who have eyes on him.”
Following the win at St James’ Park, Ancelotti forecast that Calvert-Lewin has the potential to be among the top strikers in both England as well as Europe.
But the Everton manager insists that he is happy with the attacking line-up he inherited from predecessor Marco Silva.
He added: “Upfront, we have top strikers. We also have Cenk Tosun who is a top scorer and really good, we have Moise Kean, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.
“He is young, all the players that are young need to improve and be focused and he is focused because, as I said, he is a humble guy.”