As the countdown continues towards the end of the transfer window should Everton consider selling one of their prize assests in order to fund a late spending spree?
This transfer window has been chararterised for Everton by huge financial constraints due to FFP and the effect of Covid restrictions and so a succession of supposed targets have ended up going elsewhere.
Denzel Dumfries, Joaquin Correa, Matheus Cunha and now Pape Sarr were all apparently on the radar of the Toffees in recent times but have moved to other clubs this summer.
The Blues have brought in Asmir Begovic, Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray as well as another reserve goalkeeper, but the truth is it’s been an underwhelming window, so far anyway.
Townsend and Gray look like very solid additions to the squad but many Evertonians would have hoped for more headline-grabbing moves from the club.
That has always looked impossible without them first of all selling a major assest and the most likely candidate was striker Moise Kean.
The Italian forward has had a nightmare time at Goodison Park and after his successful loan spell in France with PSG last season, it seemed very likely he would move on this summer.
A return to Paris was his most probable destination but they only wanted another loan deal and Everton said no insiting on a permanent transfer.
There has been no other firm interest yet for the 20-year-old striker and so he remains a Toffees player, something I don’t think he or the club really wants. The question is are there going to be any takers and will he get a move away before the deadline expires?
The other potential assest the Blues might be able to sell to another club for big money is of course Richarlison.
The Brazilian star has been away representing his country all summer first in the Copa America and then the Olympics and while he tased defeat in the first tournament final, he went on to win a gold medal in Tokyo.
Rafa Benitez proved instramental in enabling him to play in that Olympic competition after Everton had originally been very reluctant to let him do so.
The new boss wants Richarlison to replay that decision this season and so far the Brazilian has looked sharp and well motivated scoring once and adding an assist on the opening day.
So it looked like he was certain to stay at least for one more season. Now though comes the story that Real Madrid are ready to up the stakes in their pursuit of PSG’s Kylian Mbappe and that potentially complicates things.
These reports indicate it’s likely the French giants would want Richarlison to replace their international star striker. So would it make sense for Everton to sell and bring in some much-needed cash to spend?
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I’ve previously felt that the player hasn’t always given his best in an royal blue shirt recently and last season was a clear example of this.
His petulant tendancies returned with a reckless red card against Liverpool and some very indifferent performances over the course of the campaign.
However, one reason for this might have been how he was generally lining up under Carlo Ancelotti operating in a wider role than he wants to and also perhaps the absence of fans sapped his commitment levels as he seems to thrive off that support.
Anyway, so far he’s looked more like the player that we saw in his first two seasons at Everton when he notched thirteen goals in each campaign.
If PSG do sell Mbappe and then come calling with £150 million odd in the bank, it would seem very probable Richarlison would want to go with Champions League football on offer.
Should Everton stand in his way and demand he stay for at least another season given how indifferent his form is when he’s unmotivated? Benitez has made it clear he wants reinforcements before the window shuts and getting that sort of money would potentially make that possible.
But the problem is could the club spend it with maybe only a few days or hours to go and even with that sort of cash would the club be able to attract players of similar ability and potential in such a difficult transfer market?
These are tough questions to answer and a suppose it’s a question of time most of all. If PSG sell Mbappe in the next few days and then move for the Brazilian stright away then it’s possible the Toffees would have enough time to sign a replacement or two, even if the question of whether they’d be able to attract the right talent, is still so uncertain.
What do you think should Everton consider selling their Brazilian ace?