HITC Sport takes a look at the good, the bad and the ugly transfer rumours and speculation surrounding Everton this January.
With the January transfer window now open, Everton have begun to be linked with a number of moves already this month.
As the club battle to find some consistency in their performances, and push up the Premier League table, many Everton fans will be hoping that Ronald Koeman strengthens his side, splashing the cash that has been rumoured to be in abundance under the club’s new owners.
With this in mind, we’ve decided to take a look at some of the realistic, speculative and ridiculous names being linked with a move to Goodison Park this month.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
The Realistic
One area the Toffees seriously need to improve this window is their defence. On too many occasions this season, Koeman’s side have suffered from defensive sloppiness and poor mistakes, which have cost them points this season. Therefore, it’s no surprise to see the Blues linked with a number of moves for different defensive players this month.
Everton have recently been linked by The Guardian with a fresh bid for Manchester United defensive midfielder, Morgan Schneiderlin, who is seemingly out of favour at Old Trafford. The Blues have also been linked for a move for Roma’s impressive young centre-back, Kostas Manolas, by the Liverpool Echo. With Everton being so poor at defending this season, we fully expect to see not one but a number of signings to reinforce the Toffees back line.
Manchester United’s Morgan Schneiderlin
The Speculative
Where Everton might struggle this month when it comes to recruiting defensive reinforcements, is in their pursuit of players who might be either first team players of teams in better positions that theirs, or players who have been linked with moves to clubs in such a position. Recently, the Toffees have been linked with a move for Manchester United’s Chris Smalling and Southampton’s Virgil Van Dijk by the Liverpool Echo.
Where Everton might be better suited is in looking at players from bigger clubs who aren’t getting a look in, and this seems to be the case largely, with The Telegraph linking Koeman with a move for Manchester United duo Morgan Schneiderlin (as previously mentioned) and their Dutch winger, Memphis Depay. Two moves that seem a lot more likely due to the players’ positions in the team.
Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk
The Ridiculous
With Everton’s new transfer kitty being rumoured to match any of the Premier League rivals, perhaps the more confusing Everton transfer links this month have revolved around players who probably wouldn’t Koeman’s starting XI. A report in the Liverpool Echo suggested that the Toffees were looking at West Bromwich Albion forward Saido Berahino, a player who hasn’t exactly set the world alight in recent years with his waning performances for Tony Pulis’ side. Another suggested that Everton will still looking into the signing of Wayne Rooney from Manchester United; a sensational return to his former club, which has been suggested in the Liverpool Echo as almost impossible. With these two players struggling to find form, we find it hard to believe that Everton would splash the cash to bring them in this month.
Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney
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