Everton ready to let striker leave in January as plan for Chelsea loanee Armando Broja emerges

Everton are prepared to let Beto leave in January based on how Armando Broja does on his return from injury, according to Graeme Bailey.

The journalist told Everton.News on 16 October that the Toffees are planning to have the Chelsea loanee in the side and back at full fitness ahead of the winter window, and if they succeed they would be willing to part with the Portuguese forward.

Juventus are thought to be targeting the former Udinese star for a loan deal, while they also have an interest in Dominic Calvert-Lewin thanks to his contract status [GiveMeSport, 15 October].

Bailey said: "I’m told that Everton would consider Beto’s exit in January if there was interest, they hope to have Armando Broja firing by the New Year so there may be room to move him out."

Juventus after Beto loan from Everton

As things stand it would make no sense to allow Beto, 26, to leave for the second half of the season given how short it would leave Sean Dyche.

But Broja is a major wildcard in the entire situation as he has yet to have any impact whatsoever following his Deadline Day loan move.

The terms of the deal mean Chelsea are covering the cost of everything until the Albanian, 23, is involved in a match-day squad [Liverpool Echo, 31 August].

Beto has struggled for game time so far this term behind Calvert-Lewin as it is and if Broja bounces back from a rough couple of years to impress under Dyche it would necessarily take away even more opportunities.

Even so, the fact that Broja and Youssef Chermiti have zero Everton appearances between them so far this term shows that the squad needs options to cover for injury.

Calvert-Lewin may not be plagued by fitness issues like he was a couple of years ago but relying on his fitness would be a gamble, as it would with Broja, given their records in recent seasons.

In other Everton news, a Sky Sports journalist has issued a new update on the Dan Friedkin takeover.

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