Everton hold ‘high-level’ transfer talks ahead of January, Benitez wants wide-man and centre-mid
Everton are starting to draw up plans for their approach to the January transfer window and “high-level discussions” have taken place, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The newspaper reports that while it remains to be seen how much Rafa Benitez and Marcel Brands will have to spend in the next transfer window, sales and loaning out fringe players could maximise what the Blues can do.
It is understood that “talks are currently focused around a winger and box-to-box midfielder” but the club’s transfer shortlist is yet to be finalised.
More wingers?
Benitez made adding to the wide areas of his squad a priority in the summer and the arrivals of Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray were sealed.
Both of those players have done well since arriving at Goodison Park and have been among Benitez’s best players this season.
However, it’s very clear that it’s now the spine of the team that needs strengthening and a new central midfielder is an absolute must.
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Andre Gomes both missed the defeat at Wolves on Monday with Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Allan starting in the middle.
Fabian Delph came off the bench at Molineux too and that just highlights how badly we lack strength in depth in the middle of the park.
Unfortunately, Benitez and Brands are unlikely to be able to go big on signing a new central midfielder in the winter due to the Financial Fair Play issues holding the club back.
However, they found bargains in Townsend and Gray so we wouldn’t put it past them finding a similar deal when the new year comes around.
In other Everton news, a Toffees ace is set to be assessed ahead of the Tottenham clash after a major Monday blow.
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