Sky Sports names two January transfer targets as Everton finances update drops
Wilfried Gnonto of Leeds United and Assane Diao of Real Betis have emerged as potential January transfer deals for Everton if money becomes available, according to Sky Sports.
The news outlet shared via their live transfer blog [10 January, 13:29] that the club have made moves by doing their due diligence on potential new arrivals, with a winger and a centre-back the priorities.
This report has emerged after Sky Sports earlier claimed [12:36] that Everton would need to sell players to raise money if they wanted to complete any new deals, with the possible destination of any incoming money now clearer.
Two interesting options
Gnonto is a player Everton fans will know all about given their extensive attempts to sign him in the summer window, culminating in a £25.7million deadline-day bid [Shamoon Hafez, 1 September] which was ultimately rejected by Leeds as they managed to hold on to the Italian.
After a difficult season so far in the Championship, Everton could be set to return for the player whose value will have dropped after being in and out of Daniel Farke’s team.
Diao, meanwhile, has been linked with a move to Goodison Park, with Everton keen to rival Brentford in their pursuit of the 18-year-old Real Betis winger in January. [Sky Sports, 3 January]
It would be a bittersweet window for Everton if you consider that, to get these deals done, they would have had to sell one or more of their star players, with Amadou Onana and Jarrad Branthwaite both heavily linked with potential moves away from the club.
If that money does come in, though, Everton already have their targets lined up and will not be caught short towards the end of the window.
In other Everton news, the club have hired a new lawyer ahead of their Premier League battle.