Happy new year blues. I wish you all happiness, health and wealth! Here’s to some positive results and a sustained upturn in performances in 2024.
Here’s the transfer and some general roundup for the 1st Jan 2024!
Director of football
Kevin Thelwell intimated that it will be a quiet month, stating Everton’s transfer business will be “low-key”. Speaking to the
club’s official website (27 December), he said: “Please, don’t be drawn in by the inevitable daily churn of social media rumour and conjecture – as enticing as I know such chat can be. This is likely to be a low-key transfer window for Everton.”
One rumour that did seem to make some sense, though, was Everton’s links to young Wigan Athletic goalkeeper
Sam Tickle, who has established himself as first choice this season.
An update from Alan Nixon (31 December) suggests Everton might have to act quickly. Writing on his
Patreon in quotes reported by
Football League World, Nixon commented: “Wigan hope to tie down top young keeper Sam Tickle to a new contract- despite his fan club growing.
Paul Brown has offered his verdict on whether
Kalvin Phillips could make the switch to Everton in January, admitting the timing of the move “doesn’t feel amazing”.
The Toffees are reportedly one of the teams interested in signing the England international during the January transfer window, but face competition from Newcastle United, Juventus and Crystal Palace, according to
The Telegraph [27 December].
As quoted by
Give Me Sport (31 December) he said: “Yeah, I’ve always kind of said that I’d love to see Kalvin Phillips play at Everton. I think he would have been ideal for the club and fit right in with the way they are trying to play.
One player who seems almost certain to depart the Toffees is
Arnaut Danjuma and the Dutchman could well have played his final game in an Everton shirt on Saturday (30 December) when he was introduced from the bench against Wolves.
Reports in Spain have emerged suggesting that Villarreal have already held serious conversations with the striker over a potential loan recall in January, as they believe that he would offer the ready-made solution to their current winger problem.
Everton striker
Youssef Chermiti could depart Goodison Park on loan as part of a triple exit in the January transfer window,
according to the Sunday People.
The newspaper reported in its print edition (31 December, page 50) that the Portuguese youngster could be one of three players to leave Sean Dyche’s side in the new year, with a loan switch away from Merseyside touted.
In addition, both
Arnaut Danjuma and Ben Godfrey have been touted with potential moves in January. Both players have played bit part roles under Dyche this season and could depart Goodison Park in search of more regular first team football.
Dele Alli’s Everton comeback bid has been dealt a fresh blow. The playmaker was preparing to return to action next month for the first time in a year after being sidelined since February with a long-term groin issue.
“Unfortunately the year isn’t ending as I would have hoped,” Alli wrote on Instagram.
“I had been close to returning to full training but frustratingly I’ve had another setback with my injury.
“I’ll be out again for short while but my outlook and mentality is nothing but positive.
“I’ll be attacking my physiotherapy and giving it everything to be back on the pitch as soon as possible.”
Everton are keeping close tabs on
Alex Robertson, the Manchester City prospect who has excelled at Portsmouth on loan this season.
According to
Portsmouth News, Everton are closely monitoring Alex Robertson’s situation at Portsmouth and could make a move for the 20-year-old Manchester City prospect. The attacking midfielder has taken considerable strides in his development, which could prompt interest from the Toffees ahead of January.
Everton are unlikely to sign
Leicester City attacker
Kasey McAteer in the January transfer window. That's according to
a report from The Daily Mail (31/12, p34), who say that the Toffees will be dictated by their budget when it comes to the business they do next month.
According to
previous reports from Football Transfers, Everton are plotting a move to sign the 22-year-old in the January transfer window. Now however, it seems as though it is far from certain that such a deal will happen once the window reopens at the turn of the year.
