Everton’s January transfer window has been ghostly silent, as was painfully predicted.
After all, there are no funds to be wasted on incoming transfers, with the club now depressingly reliant on loans just to maintain the day-to-day functioning.
However, that has not stopped the rumour mill from turning, seeking to use the Toffees as a perfect side to drum up interest in specific players.
And who better than the ones who have already been linked, with Iliman Ndiaye once again touted to make a Goodison Park switch despite snubbing them in the summer to join Marseille for £20m.
However, as outlined by L’Equipe, the French side are seemingly in just as precarious a financial position as Everton.
Therefore, Sean Dyche may actually capitalise, and acquire a young forward with the potential and talent to soon replace Abdoulaye Doucoure as the second striker.
After all, the praise earned from former teammate Chris Basham only justifies how high his ceiling supposedly is: ‘He’s going to be elite. He’s learning very well, his finishing is good. It can be better at times, but he’s [young].’
The 23-year-old has endured a tough time since departing Bramall Lane, with just one goal in Ligue 1.
How good has Abdoulaye Doucoure been for Everton?
It is a testament to his importance that Everton have looked rather lost during his absence, which has coincided with their loss of form.
Before he was struck down, having missed every game including and following the EFL Cup exit to Fulham, the Toffees were enjoying a four-match win streak in which he had scored three in his last six from midfield.
A stellar record, taking his Premier League tally for the campaign up to six, he has already surpassed his figure from last campaign.
As a powerful runner with the goalscoring intelligence to find themselves in killer positions, his proficiency in front of goal has proven pivotal in Everton’s resurgence, alongside his work rate.
He provides a key press alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but at 31 years old he will not be around forever.
Dyche must find a contingency plan, and even if Ndiaye is not quite as physically imposing, his uncanny ability to nip in and find the net was integral in Sheffield United earning promotion.
The Senegal international would score 14 and assist 11 in the Championship last season, thriving alongside Oli McBurnie.
Perhaps he could strike up a similar partnership with Calvert-Lewin, another hulking striker, to recapture his form in England.
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