Everton: Summer transfer conundrum could continue in January despite spending boost

Back in the summer transfer window, Everton went in with a plan to sign capable, quality-laden wingers, search for a long term successor to Seamus Coleman, and solve the backup striker puzzle. To make the squad improvement task even more strenuous, the Toffees had to navigate through the Financial Fair Play rules, resulting in a curb in spending and a negligible transfer kitty.

Everton managed to sign two wingers; Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend, one adding supersonic speed to the flanks while other astronomically improving the deliveries from the wide areas to header hungry strikers, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.

What at that time looked two miniscule additions are now proving to be the biggest talk of the town on the blue side of Merseyside. What is even more appealing is that Townsend arrived for a free transfer while Gray came with a modest price of £1.7 million.

Manager Rafa Benitez was granted his wish of bringing Salomon Rondon to Everton, joining from Dalian Pro on the transfer deadline day on a free transfer. While the signings of Gray and Townsend have turned out to be bargains in the transfer market, Rondon’s tepid start to life at Everton has raised several concerns.

Everton transfer conundrum could continue in the January transfer window

It was one of the worst kept secrets of the summer that Everton had their hands tied in the spending market but hopefully, there is some manoeuvring room in the January transfer market. The Toffees were able to offload James Rodriguez as the Colombian set foot in the Middle East, joining Al-Rayyan. His departure has helped Everton free up £200,000+ in wages per week, helping to boost the club coffers and in turn improving the financial books.

Farhad Moshiri has never shied away from spending big in the transfer market and Rafa Benitez echoed the owners’ desire to spend and improve the team in one of his press conferences. Despite a mini spending boost for January, the Toffees seem to have made little progress in terms of uplifting the squad with enriching quality and depth.

The same questions remain unanswered. What about a long term successor to Coleman? What can the Toffees do to boost the squad depth in the midfield? Should the Toffees try and seek a backup to Lucas Digne or ride their luck with just one traditional left back in the squad? These questions continue to linger.

Everton will have the liberty to spend in January but they haven’t won a lottery that will allow them to spend millions. Despite Moshiri’s financial capabilities, the Toffees will have to keep a tight approach and spend wisely, which leaves them with the difficult decision to make when to comes to reinforce the squad.

The transfer conundrum which haunted them in the summer as to which area needs the most attention, given the limited budget, will continue to give headaches to the hierarchy in the winter transfer window too.