There are just a few hours to go before the transfer window closes and Everton still haven’t got any deadline day deals over the line. So what should be their priority with a few hours to go?
At the moment it’s looking increasingly possible that Everton will fail to significantly strengthen their squad before the close of business at eleven pm tonight as the hours tick by with no new faces added.
The only probable addition is a new centre-forward in Salomon Rondon (a position that does need additions) although that too is far from certain.
Well whether that deal comes off or not, with time running out the most pressing other issue must be a new right-back.
It’s now clear that after a very confusing few days and hours, any possible move for Arsenal full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles is off with the player now almost certainly staying at the Gunners.
The Blues have needed a new right-back not just in this transfer window but for several years now, by my count this is the third or fourth window where this position has been a priority.
And yet it’s highly probable that the Toffees will again still only have an ageing and injury-prone Seamus Coleman and the unproved Jonjo Kenny as specialists to call upon this season.
This is a ridiculous situation. How is it that we’ve got to this point in the window and still there is no deal for a new player in this position?
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And the at the time of writing, the only transfer involving the club and a full-back has been to let Niels Nkounkou leave on loan for the season to Standard Liege. This leaves Everton without any senior cover at left-back now!
Furthermore, to rub salt into the wounds we see that Tottenham have signed a right-back that Everton were long linked with; the Brazilian Emerson. Along with several others like Denzel Dumfries, he would have been ideal for the Blues.
It’s depressing and very frustrating to see a rival club being able to strengthen and in a position that the Toffees desperately need to improve themselves.
Emerson’s arrival does however meant that Serge Aurier seems to be surplus to requirements at the north London club. So might the Blues now switch their attention from one north London club to another?
While Aurier might not be the ideal choice he is a quick, experienced and versatile defender who could offer genuine competiton in defence and a solid attacking alternative at right-back.
Well there’s just about enough time left if Everton want to get something done so perhaps they can still engineer a deal and get someone in for this crucial position before it’s too late.