By Rune Gjerulff@runegjerulff

Everton came "really close" to signing Bayern defender

Everton reportedly showed concrete interest in FC Bayern defender Sacha Boey towards the end of the transfer window, but ultimately opted to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles instead.

Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images

Despite being told by Bayern Munich that he was free to find a new club, Sacha Boey ended up staying at the club beyond the close of the German transfer window.

According to Bild's football chief, Christian Falk, Everton held talks with Bayern over a potential deal for the defender and came “really close” to signing him, but ultimately opted to bring in Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lille instead.

Hamburger SV and Fulham also reportedly showed interest in the right-back, who now looks increasingly likely to stay at Bayern Munich unless a move can be secured to a club in one of the countries where the transfer window remains open for a little while longer, such as Turkey or Saudi Arabia.

“The probability is now greater that he'll stay here," admitted Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund at a press conference on Friday.

"He's always behaved in impeccable fashion. The plan was different, but this can happen in football.

"When all transfer windows are closed and he's still here, then he'll remain a player in our squad.”