Everton fans are almost all united in their January transfer window shopping list. A right back has been a priority for several years and many will be disappointed if there is not at least a stop-gap solution to the problem position.
There are also calls for more pace in attack after failed summer enquiries for the likes of Malick Fofana of Lyon, while competition for Vitaly Mykolenko at left back would ease the pressure on Adam Aznou.
There has also been talk of a new striker, with Beto the most likely to make way if that happens. However, this is unlikely before the summer unless a bid for Beto comes in.
In terms of arrivals, Everton have welcomed back Harrison Armstrong from Preston to cover for midfield injuries, while u21 striker Martin Sherif is back from an injury-plagued loan to Rotherham. He will either go on loan again or play for the u21s during the last six months of his contract.
Everton’s top transfer links:
Kobbie Mainoo, Manchester United
There have not been many strong rumours around Everton transfers thanks to the Friedkin Group’s new, less leaky, management team.
Respected journalists have only named a small number of players who may interest Everton. Mark Douglas of the i Paper, who has been a good source for Everton news, suggests there may be some interest in Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo on loan.
The midfielder is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and would be keen to get more minutes to win a World Cup place. Moyes has previously used loans from other Premier League clubs including Jack Grealish at Everton and Kalvin Phillips at West Ham.
However, the Liverpool Echo says the Mainoo links may be wide of the mark.
Douglas also mentions interest in Joshua Zirkzee, which was spun into reports from less reputable sites that Everton would try to get both on loan. That’s impossible, as you cannot loan two players from the same Premier League club at the same time.
There are many reasons why the Zirkzee links are highly unlikely. The main one is because he’s not very good. You can read more about why the links could be down to agent shenanigans here.
Vitinho, Botafago
Vitinho is a 26-year-old right back who previously played for Burnley during their Championship season under Vincent Kompany.
He was linked by the BBC but the big caveat is that the article also explained Everton would be happy to wait until summer for a right back unless the perfect player became available.
Vitinho is an interesting one. He was popular at Burnley where his work rate and attacking prowess made him a fan favourite. However, there are question marks over his quality as a Premier League-ready player and at 26 he should be entering his prime.
Reports suggest he would cost around £13m and Atletico Madrid are also interested. John Textor’s bizarre management of Botafogo means they have been handed a three-window transfer ban due to unpaid transfer fees. That may mean a necessity to sell to cover this debts.
If Everton were to sell Nathan Patterson, who was close to a move to Sevilla in the summer, it could open up a move for Vitinho this month.
Interestingly, Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo says Sevilla’s Juanlu Sanchez could be a target for Everton. His price is listed as £17m in the reports and has played for Spain’s youth sides up to u23 level. He has played over 70 times for Sevilla and can also play as a right winger.
Others
There are several other transfer rumours around Everton in the early days of the transfer window.
Probably the strongest rumours were around Midjytlland striker Franculino Dju, who the club has reportedly scouted up to eight times. He has scored 16 in 17 games for the club but the Liverpool Echo reports a transfer is off the table until summer after he suffered an injury.
A second option may be Argentinian striker Santiago Castro of Bologna, who Football Italia says is being watched by Everton in a potential £31m deal. That would be dependent on Beto leaving, with a move to Italy most likely.
You can ignore rumours of Everton signing Roma striker Artem Dovbyk. Apart from the striker being a poor match for the squad’s current tactics, the Friedkin Group will be reluctant to do business between its two clubs. The owners have made a conscious decision to keep both clubs separate in the hope it supports plans for both clubs to compete in Europe alongside each other in future.
In other rumours, TeamTalk says the club is watching Moroccan international midfielder Imran Louza at Watford. He has been a standout for the high-flying Championship with six goals and six assists in 20 games.
The rumour is a bit vague and lists several other Premier League clubs reporting interest.