Everton may have boosted Adam Wharton transfer hopes as David Ornstein shares £18.5m January update
Everton supporters would be forgiven for not realising that the January transfer window had even opened this month, with a lack of action in or out of Goodison Park.
The financial situation on the blue half of Merseyside is incredibly bleak as the Toffees await the result of their takeover from 777 Partners and until that situation is resolved it seems unlikely that there will be many changes to the playing squad.
However, that hasn’t stopped Sean Dyche’s side being linked with many players this month, one of which being Blackburn Rovers midfielder Adam Wharton who looks set to make the step up to the Premier League this month.
The Toffees are known admirers of the Rovers youngster and have reportedly sent scouts to watch him in action throughout the Championship season at Ewood Park as they consider a potential move [Daily Mail, 24 January].
It had seemed, however, that Everton had lost the race for his signature as Crystal Palace had made the first move to sign the 19-year-old. However, yet another twist has emerged in this transfer saga that may have given the Toffees a chance of coming out on top.
According to David Ornstein (25 January), Blackburn have rejected an £18.5million offer from Palace as they want more for the teenager and would ideally like him to remain at Ewood Park on loan for the remainder of the season.
Currently, it remains unclear whether or not Crystal Palace will continue their pursuit of Wharton, but this latest update could have given Everton hope of making their first addition of the January window.
While the Toffees are unlikely to have financial power to bid more than £20million this month, the structure of the deal which involves loaning the 19-year-old back to Blackburn may allow for some wiggle room of when the transfer fee will be paid.
If 777’s takeover is completed and Everton avoid relegation, the Toffees could well be able to match that asking price and bring Wharton to Goodison Park. However, the foundation of such a deal could be laid during the January window.
Either way, it seems that the race to secure one of the Championship’s hottest prospects remains on and there is little reason to suggest that Everton are completely out of the running.
In other Everton news, a decision has been made on Ben Godfrey’s future at Goodison Park this month
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