George Overhill

Sat 28 January 2023 19:55, UK

Everton have made a big-money offer for Senegal international Iliman Ndiaye at Sheffield United but the player has rejected the move, according to L’Equipe.

Frank Lampard was desperately hoping for attacking help in the January transfer window, but has since been sacked without any coming in.

Sean Dyche is now on the brink of replacing him in the final days of the month, but the club are continuing to feel frustration in their attempts to add attacking strength with the failure of this move for Ndiaye.

The 22-year-old has scored 10 times and assisted seven in the Championship this season, but appears to be the latest target who is out of reach.

Anthony Gordon’s move to Newcastle has freed up some money, and €23million [£20million] was offered to the Blades for their young international forward as part of an “offensive”.

But the player doesn’t want to move to Goodison Park.

Another one

Everton appear to have been straining behind the scenes to land attacking help this month, with Neal Maupay and Dwight McNeil proving to be disappointments from the summer, with little success.

Richarlison has therefore still not been replaced, and while it has come too late for Lampard there is still a tiny bit of space for it to arrive for Dyche.

But given the fact that the situation has come down to the last few days with nobody through the doors, confidence won’t be high.

Arnaut Danjuma was in, having done a medical and put virtually all the finishing touches on a loan deal, but in the wake of Lampard’s sacking Tottenham stole in and whisked him away.

Since then Gordon, whose form has dipped significantly but had been the star forward at the start of the season with Dominic Calvert-Lewin injured, has now left for St James’ Park to further weaken Dyche’s options.

So the new manager is going to need to be able to lift the current squad primarily, even if a late signing or two can be captured.