Everton free agent signings update emerges as Demarai Gray set for transfer exit amid Sean Dyche ‘rift’
Everton “are not in the market for free agents” following the close of the transfer window, according to Mark Douglas.
The i News journalist reported as much on the paper’s website on 6 September, refuting reports that the Toffees are “scouring that market”, with January additions instead mooted using the cash on its way in from the sale of Demarai Gray amid a “rift” with Sean Dyche.
The Toffees winger is to join Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia in a deal worth around £10m, with a sell-on clause included.
Dyche was thought to be after further cheap additions after landing his headline signing in £25m Beto from Udinese but there were only more departures on deadline day and according to the latest update there won’t be any arrivals before the window opens again.
Why?
Granted there aren’t likely to be many world-beaters available on the free agent market but given the deadline day exits have again left the manager with relatively low attacking numbers they might as well be looking for help.
Ashley Young was the first signing that Dyche made as Toffees boss following his Aston Villa release, and one or two more in a similar mould might be useful.
Few supporters will be jumping for joy with the addition of aging veterans, but the likes of Young and club captain Seamus Coleman showed last season that they can still make crucial contributions.
It might logically be assumed that after a host of sales this summer, which should have raised north of £50m once Gray’s exit is completed, and just £3million paid out on incoming deals so far, Everton would be ready to spend in January.
But Toffees fans have often been let down in the market when expecting reinforcements, so waiting for the midseason window carries no guarantee.
It would be sensible for the club to indeed be “scouring” the market for potential low-cost additions at this stage because other clubs certainly will be, but it appears that they are content to move forward with what they’ve got for the next few months.
In other Everton news, the club have been hit by yet another new injury blow amid an update from an international camp.