Assessing Everton’s January transfer plans: signing a forward is the priority

There was a time in the not too distant past when Everton he preferred not to do transfer business in January.

The winter window is notoriously difficult when it comes to finding value, with the big names often commanding a premium and the more readily available ones no longer being favored at their clubs.

This time though, Everton simply have to see what they can do next month.

Seventeenth in the Premier League table and dangerously short on goals, manager Frank Lampard knows he needs more quality in his squad if he is to avoid spending another spring fighting relegation.

However, do you have money to spend? If it does, who are the likely targets? And who could go out to generate funds?

the athletic anticipates Everton’s January transfer window.

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Last three January window expenses

2020: £1 million ($1.2 million)

2021: £2 million

2022: £30 million

How much money is likely to be available this month?

Given their massive losses in recent years, comfortably totaling over £300m, Everton’s days of unrestrained spending are over for now.

In the last two windows, they have looked to make their business more sustainable and have remained focused on cutting the wage bill and getting money back for players who are no longer in the first team picture. The exits would free up space and funds.

There is also a renewed focus on making profitable decisions. Last summer saw most of his money spent on talented young players like Amadou Onana, while also seeking to structure deals in a way that would allow their money to go further. Smaller down payments were key to getting deals for Onana and dwight mcneil over the line.

At this stage, that seems to be the most likely direction of travel again.

Who makes the key transfer decisions?

This is still a relatively new structure at Everton.

Director of football Kevin Thelwell was appointed only in February, with Lampard arriving three weeks early. How it plays out remains to be seen, but the initial signs have been positive, at least in regards to turning the page on some of the mistakes of the past.

Everton promised after their strategic review, carried out in the middle of last season, to be more collegiate in their decision-making. IOver the summer, Lampard handled recruiting along with Thelwell and President Bill Kenwright. The relationships are understood to be positive, certainly compared to the previous ones.

“Obviously, I needed Kevin’s experience in recruiting, because it’s not my job to look up the European player data for the number 6 spot.” Lampard said the athletic in summer. “That’s for us and the recruiting department to get together.”

Lampard’s role is important.

Like Thelwell, he promoted the free signing of the center-back james tarkowski Next Burnleythe descent. Meetings with him were also key in convincing new players, such as Onana and Tarkowski, to join despite interest from elsewhere.

What position is the priority?

Lampard has made no secret of the fact that he wants to liven up his ailing attack with at least one addition in January. In their 15 league games this season, Everton have scored just 11 goals, the joint second-worst record in the Premier League.

Dominic Calvert-LewinInjury problems from last season have persisted (he’s only made six appearances so far), while Richard it has yet to be properly replaced after its summer move to tottenham. Playing the influence of BrazilThe ‘s number 9, his penchant for big goals, his positional versatility and his spirit, has so far proven to be a near impossible task.

Neal Maupay he was signed in that same window to provide cover for Calvert-Lewin and give Lampard a different kind of option up front, but he has yet to shoot properly.

However, it is not just about finishing. He still feels like Everton are poised to play on Calvert-Lewin’s strengths, even when he’s not out there.

They are 15th of the 20 top-flight clubs in expected goals, a metric that measures the quality of chances created by a team.

Lampard would like to address that as well, bringing in players with dynamism who can change the course of games.

Who are the plausible targets?

Everton have continued to monitor the progress of key summer targets, including Ajax’s. holy muhammadMykhailo Mudryk of Shakhtar Donetsk and Armando Broja from chelsea. However, for various reasons, each of those players seems less attainable than before.

Mudryk is being courted by the best clubs in Europe, Kudus is coming off a stellar six months with Ajax and Ghanaand Broja just suffered a serious knee injury and will miss the rest of the season.

Due to financial constraints, Everton are expected to pay special attention to the loan market. the athletic has previously detailed its interest in Matheus Cunha of Atlético de Madrid, while manchester united‘s Antonio Elanga also his admirers at Goodison.

Everton could also look to structure deals in a similar way to their summer deal.

They made a late try on deadline day for the Championship side. black burnThe prolific Ben Brereton Diaz, but the 23-year-old English-born Chile international currently looks more likely to leave Ewood Park on a free transfer this summer, when his contract expires.

of coventry Viktor GyokeresMeanwhile, he’s one of the potentially more accessible options still on the summer roster, and reports in France have also linked the club with a move to watford‘s ismaila sarr.

Who could get out?

Advocate michael keane is out of favor at Everton and is attracting loan interest from a host of other Premier league clubs.

A fixture in the team under previous managers, Keane has been pushed down the pecking order by the arrivals of Tarkowski and Conor Coady, and have yet to start a league match this season. He is likely to leave on a temporary deal in January.

fellow defender mason holgate he has also struggled with playing time and is drawing loan interest as well. It is believed that Everton would be willing to let him go as part of his efforts to reduce the wage bill.

Chelsea, Tottenham and newcastle all showed interest in anthony gordon in the summer, with Everton refusing to let the winger leave. Gordon still has his fair share of fans, but it remains to be seen if any will return for his services next month.

nathan broad headcurrently on loan at the Championship club wigan athletic, he has suitors in that division who are eager to sign him to a permanent deal. But the suggestions of derby county manager Paul Warne Everton may look to remember lewis dobbins of his loan to that League One team have met with surprise in Merseyside.

Salomon Rondon has already left after the termination of his contract.

Which World cup star would be a perfect fit?

Congratulation to you. Versatile, dynamic and goalscorer: pretty much everything Lampard wants and Everton needs.

The Ghanaian has multiple strings in his bow and his positional flexibility would be invaluable for a side looking for solutions in numerous areas.

France2022 World Cup Finalist Mark Thuram he is scheduled to be out of contract at Borussia Monchengladbach this summer, plays forward and would be a useful addition if signed on a budget deal.

(Top photos: Mohammed Kudus, Ismaila Sarr, Anthony Elanga by Getty Images)