Everton prepare for winter transfer window

Everton are faring well in the Premier League thus far as they look to put last season’s calamities behind them. The Toffees are currently 7^th and have lost just three league games under Ronald Koeman.

The Dutchman made six signings during the summer transfer window and is looking to bring in some new recruits in January as the Blues continue their European push.

The club have already been linked with a number of targets and Rachid Ghezzal is said to head the list. The Algerian winger has entered the last six months of his contract at Lyon and rumours suggest the 24-year-old is unhappy at the Ligue 1 club and told RMC: “For now, nothing has been decided. Everything is on stand-by. I would be lying to say we did have deals or interested clubs. Today, he has no agreement”. Everton were in for Ghezzal in the previous transfer window but saw a significant offer rejected, though if Koeman revives his interest, it’s likely that the winger may end up at Goodison Park. Ghezzal scored ten goals in 38 appearances for the French club this season but has just one in 13 this term.

Ghezzal’s possible transfer to Everton is likely to hugely depend on the destiny of Memphis Depay. The Dutch winger has played just 20 minutes under Jose Mourinho and is open to discussing a winter move to Everton as his Manchester United days may be up. Koeman watched the 22-year-olds performance for Holland in their 1-1 draw with Belgium and revealed his interest in signing Depay, stating: “I would like to have him, I think he is an interesting player. He has great individual qualities”. Though Depay’s impressive brace against Luxembourg, including a rocket of a free-kick, may have just won him a chance to impress at United.

As well as looking to prove their exploits in the wing, Everton are also in the market to bolster their attacking ranks. The club were rejected in their deadline day pursuit of Manolo Gabbiadini. The Italian’s contract talks with Napoli broke down this week and it’s possible that Everton may return for the striker.

It’s bad news for Napoli, particularly after losing Gonzalo Higuain to Serie A rivals Juventus, but it’s likely that Everton will welcome the news with open arms.

Gabbiadini is not the only striker on Everton’s radar however. SBAT’s recent transfer news suggests that the £12million-rated Dynamo Kiev striker Lukasz Teodorczyk is also within their sights.

The Polish international is on loan at Anderlecht and already has an impressive 14 goals to his name this season. Though his goal scoring form has attracted the attention of a number of clubs, including Stoke, Sunderland, West Ham, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen, Anderlecht do have the option to sign the 25-year-old permanently.

Everton do desperately need a striker, particularly with the uncertainty surrounding Romelu Lukaku’s future. And the club are also looking to the future as they open transfer talks with Norwegian wonder kid Rafik Zekhihi. The 18-year-old operates as a forward for Odds BK and the Norway U21 side and has impressed many this season despite his tender age. The Blues have reportedly been granted permission to speak to Zekhihi with the youngster said to be travelling to Merseyside with Koeman.

In defence, Everton and Spurs are in a two horse race for Bristol City defender Hordur Bjorgvin Magnusson. The centre-half arrived at the Championship club from Juventus and cost just £2.5million.

The Icelandic international was with his national side during their impressive Euro 2016 campaign and has impressed since arriving in England. The 23-year-old can play at centre-back and left-back and has made 16 appearances 9^th placed Bristol City so far this season, scoring one goal.