Everton did have a very busy transfer deadline day.
The frantic and drama filled transfer deadline day has ended. In terms of arrivals, Everton fans were taken for a ride, starting from the early rumours of Ivan Perisic to tracking the Joshua King move.
However, the concentration was to facilitate departures. There were five players who left Goodison Park on deadline day, mostly loans and one permanent transfer. Yannick Bolasie left earlier this week to reunite with Neil Warnock at Middlesbrough. Everton have managed to trim the wage budget by a significant amount after a number of departures.
Here’s a brief recap of the transfer deadline day at Everton highlighting the exits and one arrival and how things unfolded:
Jonas Lossl
Club joined: Midtjylland
Transfer type: Permanent transfer
Wages freed: £28,000 (Salary Sport)
Jonas Lossl was signed on a free transfer in summer 2019 as a backup goalkeeper to Jordan Pickford. The Danish International was loaned to his former club Huddersfield in the second half of the 2019-20 campaign. The arrival of Robin Olsen last summer meant that Lossl would slip down the pecking order, becoming the third choice goalkeeper. The 32 year old hadn’t made a solitary appearance for the Toffees and was considering his future ahead of the Euros this summer.
Several reports mentioned Inter Miami’s and Olympique Marseille’s interest in the shot stopper but it was Midtjylland who were successful in signing Lossl on a permanent transfer. The Dane has returned to the club where he began his professional career.
Cenk Tosun returned to Besiktas on loan.
Cenk Tosun
Club joined: Besiktas
Transfer type: Short Loan
Wages freed: £60,000 (Salary Sport)
Cenk Tosun was a wanted man in the final stages of the January transfer window, especially the last week. The window began with West Bromwich Albion’s interest in him as former Everton boss Sam Allardyce took over at the Hawthorns. Last week, Besiktas, CSKA Moscow and Celta Vigo fought over the Turk but the Kara Kartallar were said to be the favourites.
Tosun publicly stated that he’d be open to a return to Vodafone Park if Everton and Besiktas can strike an arrangement. Understandably, he was on his way to Istanbul and was announced as a loan signing on the deadline day.
Jonjoe Kenny
Club joined: Celtic
Transfer type: Short Loan
Right back Jonjoe Kenny joined Scottish giants Celtic on the transfer deadline day. The Everton academy graduate was touted to leave in this window, after failing to feature regularly in the team. Carlo Ancelotti prefers Seamus Coleman and Mason Holgate as two options at right back and Kenny was certainly below them in the pecking order.
Burnley were linked to the 23 year old all January and were hopeful of closing the deal but the asking price put them away. Celtic swooped in and managed to sign him on loan. The Hoops boss Neil Lennon mentioned that Kenny had travelled to Glasgow and was waiting for the paperwork to get completed before he could be announced as the latest Celtic signing.
Anthony Gordon is the one for the future.
Anthony Gordon
Club joined: Preston North End
Transfer type: Short Loan
Anthony Gordon joined Championship side Preston North End in order to gain valuable playing experience and regular minutes which were hard to come by at Everton at this point. The youngster has shown tremendous promise since making his debut against West Ham United in 2020.
Everton fans consider him as a gem and a generational talent which needs to be nurtured. Gordon has had minimal first team chances this term due to the sheer competition in his position which is why sending him out on loan was a priority for the Toffees after the Bernard transfer fell through. Gordon’s arrival at Deepdale will boost Preston’s attack and help Alex Neil’s side in their pursuit of a top six finish.
Beni Baningime
Club joined: Derby County
Transfer type: Short loan
Midfielder Beni Baningime was snapped up by Championship side Derby County on the last day of the winter transfer window. Baningime was not a part of the senior squad this term but has made a total of 12 senior appearances. The U-23 midfielder would receive some playing experience in the Championship while also getting guidance from former Everton man Wayne Rooney.
Everton beat Fulham to sign Joshua King on loan.
Joshua King
Joined Everton from: AFC Bournemouth
Transfer type: Short Loan for a nominal fee
Crying for reinforcements due to lack of depth in the striking department, Everton managed to strike a loan deal with AFC Bournemouth for Joshua King at the eleventh hour of the deadline day. The Cherries had reportedly softened their demands as Southampton, Fulham and Everton encircled around the striker.
His deal at the Vitality Stadium expires at the end of the season. The Royal Blues have signed him on a six month loan with an option to extend the contract at the end of the season. According to David Ornstein, Carlo Ancelotti was the deciding factor in King choosing Everton. The former Real Madrid boss convinced the Norwegian personally that he’s a firm part of their plans.
King was enduring a tough spell at Bournemouth this season and was exploring his options for the future. Everton were also chasing him in the summer but a deal did not materialize back then. His arrival does boost the depth in striker’s department as Tosun’s departure left Everton with no backup to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.