The January transfer window is drawing ever closer, and Everton could be busy under Sam Allardyce.
Everton may have splashed the cash over the summer, but their early-season performances forced a change of management, with Sam Allardyce now at the helm following Ronald Koeman’s exit in October.
Allardyce is already turning the tide at Goodison Park, and with some clever additions during the January transfer window, the Everton boss may he eyeing a top eight finish this season.
With that in mind, here is a five-point plan for Everton’s January transfer window…
Sign a left back – possibly Patrick van Aanholt
Ronald Koeman was keen to bring in a left-sided defender over the summer, but ultimately missed out – and with Leighton Baines struggling for fitness, the lack of depth behind him has been exacerbated. Cuco Martina simply isn’t up to the task, and landing a left back who can take over from Baines may be a priority in January. ESPN report that Crystal Palace left back Patrick van Aanholt is one target for Allardyce having worked with him at both Sunderland and Palace, and a deal for the Dutchman may well be pursued next month.
Sell Ross Barkley before he leaves for free
In the run-up to the last January transfer window, many believed that Everton were poised to sell playmaker Ross Barkley, as the did in the summer too, but he remains at Goodison Park. The 23-year-old has missed the whole season through injury so far, but with his contract expiring at the end of the season, next month may finally see the midfielder leave Goodison Park. Taking a fee of around £15million to £20million may become necessary for Everton, rather than losing him for free at the end of the season.
Bring in at least one new striker
After selling Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United over the summer, many expected Everton to bring in at least one new striker to replace the Belgian – but somehow, they left the transfer window without a major attacking addition. Whilst Dominic Calvert-Lewin has led the line admirably, another striker must be brought in next month; whether that’s former target Olivier Giroud, former Allardyce favourites Christian Benteke or Jermain Defoe, or even another target, it’s imperative that Everton find a regular goalscorer.
Make decisions on Davy Klaassen and Sandro Ramirez
Whilst some summer signings, such as Jordan Pickford, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney are playing key roles under Allardyce, the same can’t be said for Davy Klaassen and Sandro Ramirez. Brought in from Ajax and Malaga respectively after strong goalscoring campaigns last season, neither have scored a Premier League goal this season, and have yet to start a league game under Allardyce. Clubs appear to be keen on loaning both players for the second half of the season, and Everton must decide whether their development would be better aided adjusting to England in the second half of the campaign.
Add pace out wide, even with Bolasie returning
One of the major errors from Everton’s summer transfer activity was the lack of pace added to the squad, and the now-departed Ronald Koeman found that all too well. Yannick Bolasie is on his way back to fitness after more than a year out, whilst Aaron Lennon is featuring regularly again, but Everton should be looking to add another speedy wide man to inject some pace into their side and ultimately become a more dangerous threat going forward.
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