Everton now ‘interested’ in late swoop for £20m ‘monster’ from relegation rival

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Everton, much like the rest of the Premier League, have endured one of their quietest-ever January transfer windows.

There have been a few reports, albeit very little, but even they did not offer convincing or conclusive evidence to suggest that Sean Dyche might be tempted to wade into the market.

It is surely proof that the financial restrictions imposed upon the Toffees and Nottingham Forest have certainly hindered the progress of the division this season, striking fear across the nation.

That being said, the window is still far from over, leaving plenty of time for late deals to be struck that could vastly alter the trajectory of this team.

It would take something hugely dramatic to achieve any outlandish success this campaign, but for Dyche and his staff, mere safety will do.

Admittedly, that is all the fans can ask for nowadays given the struggles faced and the hurdles that stand in their way.

Who could Everton sign late in January?

Whilst there are outstanding positions of peril for Everton to plug, it would be hard to pin down a clear role which needs bolstering.

Right-back is a position still yet to be cemented by Nathan Patterson, whilst out wide there is a distinct lack of options outside of Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison.

And whilst there may be options up front, none of the strikers are exactly exuding confidence in front of goal.

With these notions, it is therefore a confusing sight to see Everton’s reported interest in Frank Onyeka, a central midfielder.

As arguably the position in which they are strongest, journalist Nizaar Kinsella remains staunch in his position that the Toffees remain interested in the man Brentford brought to England back in 2023 and is now valued at £20m.

He would write on X: ‘Girona are keen on signing Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka on a permanent deal, with Reims attempting to sign him on loan. Everton and Fulham are also interested, but the Bees have a stance to not loan him to a PL rival during this winter window’.

How good is Frank Onyeka?

As aforementioned, it seems strange that Dyche is set to swoop for a defensive midfielder when his issues clearly lie up front.

After all, from their last ten games in all competitions, in which they have won just one, his side have only conceded 11 times yet scored a miserable five themselves.

The continued absence of Abdoulaye Doucoure would have marked a wiser gap to fill, but Onyeka would represent fine business regardless should they manage to prise him from a relegation rival on a cut-price loan.

After all, when compared to other midfielders across Europe, he stands out in a number of key statistics. He sits in the top 13% for total shots per 90, the top 20% for assists per 90 and the top 15% for interceptions per 90, via FBref.

He is a keen workhorse with an eye for a pass, which probably explains why James Garner is likened to the 26-year-old by FBref too.

Having already been branded a ‘midfield monster’ by commentator Babatunde Koiki for his performances in this year’s AFCON, perhaps Dyche might be onto something by bolstering his engine room and perhaps freeing up the former Manchester United man to occupy Doucoure’s role when vacant.