Rafa Benitez confirms Everton are in contact with clubs over January transfers and expects the Goodison Park outfit will complete two or three deals, via quotes by the Liverpool Echo.
The Blues enter the winter sales just 15th in the Premier League standings and eight-points clear of the relegation zone. Everton have endured a dire run since their bright start under Benitez faded since sitting in fourth-place in mid-September.
Everton held the joint-lead on points and a Champions League position after winning three of their first four games. But a run of just two wins in 13 has flipped the Toffees’ campaign around. No team has taken fewer points than the Merseysiders’ nine from a possible 39.
January, therefore, offers Benitez a chance to add fresh impetus to his Everton squad and to change their fortunes. He also now likely has greater control over the purse strings after Marcel Brands stepped down as Director of Football.
Benitez confirms Everton in transfer talks
Benitez believes Everton will at least complete two or three signings in the January transfer window. But the Spaniard expects clubs – including the Blues – will be cagey customers and sellers more than usual in the winter.
“We are working hard,” Benitez said. “We are trying to find some targets to improve the team. Everybody knows how difficult January is. Everybody is a little bit worried about covid, no-one wants to spend too much money. That is complicated.
“I am quite confident we will do two or three things. We are in contact with clubs, but it’s not just me – the board are looking for the right options. Not everybody has a lot of money to spend, so we have to be careful when we buy, sell or loan players.”
Dynamo Kyiv full-back Vitaliy Mykolenko is likely to be the first player to join Everton in the January transfer window. Sport Unian report the 22-year-old will sign a five-year contract worth around seven-times his current salary, and join the Blues for €21-23m (£17.5-19.5m).
Everton have also expressed an interest in Denis Zakaria after Borussia Monchengladbach confirmed the Swiss will not sign a new contract beyond the current season, per 90min.
Players could also leave Everton in January, with Sabah reporting Besiktas are keen to sign Cenk Tosun on loan. The striker is out of contract in June and also outside Benitez’s plans.
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