A round-up of the latest Everton news as Sean Dyche provides an update on Amadou Onana’s injury and Kieran Maguire exclusively examines the Blues’ January transfers.
Kieran Maguire tackles Everton’s position on January transfers
Football finance expert Maguire believes Everton face a balancing act in the January transfer market. But Dyche can make signings to improve his Goodison Park side following the recent sales of Richarlison and Anthony Gordon. Their big-ticket transfers helped to ease the plight.
Everton also allowed Cenk Tosun and Gylfi Sigurdsson to leave Merseyside to free big wages from their accounts. Now, the Toffees have some wiggle room for the winter window. But an influx of players is unlikely given the pressure on Everton following their 10-point deduction.
Maguire has exclusively told Everton News that the Blues must be ‘very mindful’ that moves in January will catch the eye of the Premier League and their rival clubs. So, any move Dyche may agree next month must keep the club firmly clear of any further potential punishments.
“The wage bill has come down and there’s a bit of wiggle room but not a lot,” Maguire told Everton News. “It’s a bit of a balancing act but they can do things.
“But they’ll be very mindful that they’re under scrutiny from the Premier League and other clubs and so on. So, I am sure that whatever they do, they will do with an eye on ensuring that they maintain themselves within the FFP limit.”
Read more about what Maguire has had to say about Everton and the January sales, here.
Sean Dyche delivers an update on Amadou Onana’s calf injury
Everton boss Dyche has admitted that Onana is ‘touch and go’ to return from an injury when the Blues host Newcastle United on Thursday. The Toon head to Goodison Park for the 19:30 kick-off eying back-to-back wins on Merseyside. The Magpies beat Dyche’s side 4-1 in April.
Onana returning would be a huge boost for Everton having missed their last two games with a calf injury. He had started in all 11 Premier League fixtures available to the 22-year-old this term before the blow. It also kept the nine-cap Belgian out of their November internationals.
“Amadou’s only just back on the grass so touch and go with our decision around him,” Dyche told his press conference ahead of Everton facing Newcastle for their 15th game this season.
Read more about what Everton manager Dyche has had to say about Onana’s injury, here.
Expected Everton signing Braiden Graham is a ‘man for the big occasion’
Steven Beacom, the chief sports writer for the Belfast Telegraph, has exclusively told Everton News that Braiden Graham is a ‘man for the big occasion’ ahead of an expected transfer. The 16-year-old is reportedly set to sign for the Toffees during 2024 after snubbing rival interest.
Graham has caught Everton’s eye in Linfield FC’s Under-18s and in the Northern Ireland U16 and U17 sides. The centre-forward also scored for Linfield’s first-team this Tuesday night. He got a 118-minute equaliser at Larne, before scoring their winning goal in a penalty shootout.
The Darragh Cross-born talent impressed Beacom with his performance in the JBE League Cup quarter-final. Beacom has now told Everton News what the Toffees can expect once the Linfield product joins Everton’s academy. Tuesday only marked his third senior appearance.
“Graham showed he was a man for the big occasion and had bottle, which should hold him in good stead in the future,” Beacom exclusively told Everton News. He added: “Up stepped Graham on as a substitute.
“In the heat of battle, the kid was as cool as ice, finishing superbly inside the box to send the game to penalties and he wasn’t finished there. Graham wanted to take a spot-kick and when his time came, he kept his nerve to score.”
Read more about what Beacom has told Everton News about Linfield talent Graham, here.
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