The manager of Everton, Rafa Benitez has hinted that he is looking forward to signing two or three players during the January transfer window.
He however noted that the Premier League club would be careful in the transfer market due to the financial difficulties clubs are facing, thanks to the impact of coronavirus.
Recall that during last summer’s transfer window, Rafa Benitez spent only £1.7 million in the transfer market. The money was used to bring in Demarai Gray from Bayer Leverkusen who is currently the club’s highest goalscorer.
Aside from Gray, Everton signed Andros Townsend and Salomon Rondon for free who have also become important members of Benitez’s squad.
Despite the new arrivals, Everton have been struggling in the ongoing 2021-2022 season. They have recorded 8 defeats, 4 draws, and just 5 wins in 17 games. Their inconsistent form has forced them down to the 15th spot, just 8 points above the relegation zone.
Aside from a drop in form, Everton have been battling a series of coronavirus infections among the players and coaching staff. This has forced two of their league games to be postponed in December.
In December, coach Benitez had issues with his attack line as most of the club’s attackers were left injured. Even the club’s talisman, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out due to an injury.
Luckily for Everton, the coronavirus pandemic at the club has prevented them from playing since December 16. The long break has given the injured player room to recover before the Premier League game against Brighton which is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 on Sunday, January 2.
Ahead of the game, there is speculation that Calvert-Lewin might be fully fit to feature in the league game which is a big plus for Everton.
In the post-match press conference on Friday, coach Rafa Benitez said the club has started looking at players to bring to the club in January.
The coach said: “We are working hard. We are trying to find some targets to improve the team. Everybody knows how difficult January is.
“Everybody is a little bit worried about Covid, no-one wants to spend too much money. That is complicated. I am quite confident we will do two or three things.
“We are in contact with clubs but it’s not just me – the board are (also) looking for the right options.
“Not everybody has a lot of money to spend so we have to be careful when we buy, sell, or loan players.
“I knew what we were looking for in August, we are working to find the right players for the present and the future.
“We are trying to be sure we have chances to improve. What can (the fans) expect? Two or three players, and players who want to be here.”
Rafa Benitez is most definitely in the market this January 💰 pic.twitter.com/K043mg2chB
— Everton FC News (@LivEchoEFC) December 31, 2021
Meanwhile, on the first day of the January transfer window, Everton announced the signing of Ukraine international Vitaliy Mykolenko from Dynamo Kiev on a four-and-a-half-year contract.
Everton had to sign Mykolenko who is currently 22-year-old to fill the left-back position which has been vacate, thanks to the extended non-injury related absence of Lucas Digne.
