It seems that the mainstream media still seem unwilling to accept that Everton simply have no money to spend.
Having already had to accept loans from their prospective owners 777 Partners just to keep the lights on, there is very little chance of those precious funds being offloaded on transfer targets when the squad has performed admirably thus far.
Kevin Thelwell would even emerge to tell fans directly that January would be quiet, yet some people have not listened.
The only way in which the Toffees will be able to buy is if they sell, however this latest report seems to detail a replacement for one of those prized assets linked with an exit.
Amadou Onana has impressed this season under Sean Dyche, and therefore the 22-year-old has garnered a long list of suitors.
It seems that the Toffees have taken note of this, and journalist Ed Aarons has now sought to relay what certainly seems like a potential replacement for the Belgium international, should he depart.
Taking to X, he writes: ‘Understand that Everton and Fulham are among the clubs who are interested in signing Brentford’s Frank Onyeka this month. The Nigeria midfielder signed a new contract in the summer and would cost more than £20m.’
Could Frank Onyeka replace Amadou Onana at Everton?
As a towering enforcer who is just as capable of putting in a heavy tackle as he is spraying the ball around, there are few like Onana in world football.
He is both physically and technically exceptional, and it would take an almighty task to replace his output in the Everton engine room.
Such quality is emphasised through his figures in the Premier League, with the midfielder boasting the highest pass completion percentage (85%) within the squad whilst also managing 2.6 tackles and 6.5 ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore.
It is through such statistics that we can see whether Onyeka has what it takes to replace him.
Whilst Dyche would likely not expect a like-for-like alternative, given how unique Onana is, there are core attributes which the Nigerian would have to bring across with him.
However, it is hard to detail just how good the 26-year-old has been, given how sparingly he has been used since joining Brentford.
This season has seen him make just six league starts, with his 1.4 tackles and 2.8 ball recoveries per game perhaps disingenuous given he averages just 46 minutes per game.
However, what will please Dyche is his brand as a ‘hard-hitter’, at least in the eyes of Svend Graversen, FC Midtjylland director of football.
If he can at least offset the steel they would lose, then perhaps Onyeka could be worth a punt should Onana exit.
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