Everton could be in the market for new signings next month.
Everton have made a strong start to life under new manager Sam Allardyce, as he remains unbeaten in charge of the Toffees after Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion.
The Toffees have won three and drawn three under Allardyce, and are now lying in the top half of the table having previously been hovering around the bottom three under Ronald Koeman.
Despite the upturn in results, manager Allardyce may look for January additions when the transfer window re-opens, though he may not replicate the major business he did at Crystal Palace last season.
Left back is a particular area of concern given Leighton Baines’ injury problems, and ESPN claim that Everton want to sign Crystal Palace’s Patrick van Aanholt, given that he worked with Allardyce at both Sunderland and Palace.
Striker is another position that Allardyce will be looking to strengthen given that Everton didn’t bring in a replacement for Romelu Lukaku over the summer, and reports suggest that the Toffees are zeroing in on their top target.
NTV Spor in Turkey claim that Everton are preparing a bid to sign Besiktas hitman Cenk Tosun, with the forward – who has hit 13 goals in 23 games this season – understood to be keen on a move to Goodison Park.
Allardyce hinted to Four Four Two just days ago that those are the two positions he is looking to strengthen, but he added that he has an admiration for his former Blackburn ace Steven N’Zonzi, and a move for the Sevilla misfit could yet materialise in January.
If Allardyce can pull off those three deals, then slotting Van Aanholt into the back four alongside Mason Holgate, Michael Keane – who impressed against Chelsea on Saturday – and Jonjoe Kenny – would make sense.
N’Zonzi could take over from Morgan Schneiderlin in midfield alongside Idrissa Gueye and Wayne Rooney, with Gylfi Sigurdsson and the returning Yannick Bolasie supporting Tosun in attack, giving Dominic Calvert-Lewin a chance to develop without so much pressure on him.
Those three additions would add some balance to the Everton side, reuniting Allardyce with two players whilst adding a goalscorer – and whilst huge money may not be spent, Allardyce may prefer to have a couple of smart additions.
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