Everton are likely to be busy in January.
Bristol City star Joe Bryan has wowed fans at Ashton Gate this season with a number of excellent performances as well as getting his name on the scoresheet three times.
The 24-year-old even scored last time out, finding the back of the net to score the Robins’ second goal of the game to beat Nottingham Forest by two goals to one at home to the delight of City fans.
His form will surely be interesting a number of sides around the country, which could include Premier League side Everton who are currently struggling to fill the void left by the injured Leighton Baines.
Set-piece expert Baines is sidelined with a knee injury, which has recently seen right-footed defender Cuco Martina play on the left side of defence to cover the loss of the England international.
Lee Johnson’s Robins will be reluctant to sell Bryan as he continues to shine in the red and white of City, and have room to manoeuvre with 18 months remaining on the pocket-sized dynamo’s contract.
However, Everton could tempt City into selling the 5ft 6in ace, by giving them a replacement as part of the deal. That could see the Toffees throw Luke Garbutt into a deal, as the former Leeds United trainee remains completely frozen out.
Garbutt has managed just 12 appearances for Everton since joining the club in 2009 as a teenager from Leeds, instead being loaned out to the likes of Fulham, Colchester and Wigan.
His form this season for Everton’s second string has been similar to Bryan’s, scoring two goals and adding an assist in nine Premier League 2 games. In what is a like-for-like swap, Everton could tempt City into selling Bryan by including Garbutt.
Everton will be keen to get Garbutt’s wages off the expenditure list, which the Daily Star claims are worth a huge £27,500 a week. He would need to take a pay cut if the Toffees included him in a deal to sign Bryan.
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