Ikone latest forward linked with Everton January move

As we wait for kick-off in this afternoon’s crucial clash at Goodison Park between Everton and Spurs, the Blues’ have been tentatively linked with a move for forward Jonathan Ikone.

Everton are according to Italian sources tracking the young Lille attacker with a view to making a move for him in January’s transfer window.

The story claims the Toffees’ will face competition from West Ham and Milan if they try and prise the young Frenchman away from the Ligue 1 side.

Is there likely to be anything in this? The answer as with most of these rumours is almost certainly no, I don’t think Everton are seriously considering a move for the 23-year-old.

But, as we’ve heard last week there have been discussions about potential new year recruitment and according to these rumours Rafa Benitez has identified a central midfielder and another wide attacking player as his priorities.

While summer signings Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray have made a solid impact, Salomon Rondon has looked like a busted flush filling in up front while Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are out injured.

Well, Ikone fits the last category as he’s versatile and can play wide or up front so at least on paper he would offer another forward option. He’s also another left-footed winger who enjoys playing on the right wing where he can cut inside.

Everton already have a player who provides that in Andros Townsend who started the season so well but has since not been quite so effective in the past few matches.

This is partly though because the Blues’ have lacked their first-choice strikers Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin for so long.

Benitez has some difficult decisions to make today as he trys to find a way to arrest the Toffees’ terrible recent form in a game that I feel he cannot really afford to lose.

The outcome of today’s match will potentially have ramifications for the rest of the season and the upcoming new year window.

Will Benitez still be in the Goodison Park hotseat when January comes around, if so he will simnply have to get his recruitment right to give this team any hope of salvaging something from the campaign.