Everton claimed to be in talks for Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma

CARTAGENA, SPAIN - JANUARY 03: Arnaut Danjuma of Villarreal CF in action during the Copa del Rey Round of 32 match between FC Cartagena and Villarreal CF at Estadio Cartagonova on January 03, 2023 in Cartagena, Spain. (Photo by Silvestre Szpylma/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
CARTAGENA, SPAIN - JANUARY 03: Arnaut Danjuma of Villarreal CF in action during the Copa del Rey Round of 32 match between FC Cartagena and Villarreal CF at Estadio Cartagonova on January 03, 2023 in Cartagena, Spain. (Photo by Silvestre Szpylma/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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In yet another of this month’s ever-growing list of tentative transfer rumours, it is claimed that Everton are currently in talks with Villarreal to do a deal for their Dutch winger Arnaut Danjuma.

As the seemingly endless search for attacking reinforcements continues, Everton are now being linked with an imminent move for the 25-year-old.

This alledged deal is supposed to be running in parallel with a move for Manchester United’s unsettled young forward Anthony Elanga.

As usual, who knows how well-founded these stories are, but the days are ticking by and the Blues’ are still woefully short of the sort of forward strength they desperately need to turn this sinking season around.

I wrote earlier this week that I think the Toffees’ need at least one of those new additions in by this weekend’s critical clash with Southampton at Goodison Park. As time moves on though, that does seem increasingly unlikely.

Anything less than three points on Saturday is almost unthinkable. Failure to secure a win at the Grand Old Lady will be a calamity and I don’t think Frank Lampard can survive it, never mind what it would mean for Everton’s campaign.

So, would either of these players be likely to make a potentially match-winning contribution if they were signed before the weekend?

As far as Danjuma is concerned he hasn’t exactly been tearing it up in La Liga having managed two goals in ten games (including six starting) for the Spanish side.

The fact that the Blues’ are at least supposedly shopping for players like this, who seem to me to be very much unproven, is a sign of where the club are now.

Gone are the days when Everton might have been in the running to bring in genuine and proven, top draw talent.

Now, it’s forwards who can’t make it as starters and loan signings from other Premier League clubs or unnproven players on the fringes of a European club’s squad.

Well, that’s where the Toffees’ are now, so I suppose it’s a case of hoping the club can make the best of the situation.

Perhaps, one or both of these forwards (if they are genuine targets and sign) could well prove to be a bargain and fire Everton to something approaching mid-table respectability.

That’s about all Evertonians can hope for now, after Friday night’s FA Cup exit effectively ended any hopes of anything more than a relegation struggle for the remainder of this season.