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Everton January transfer update at Goodison Park after world class deal was accepted
David Ornstein has claimed the focus for Everton in the January transfer window will be on keeping Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana at Goodison Park.
The Athletic journalist also reported on 4 January that, with a quiet transfer window expected, the club will be focusing primarily on loan and low-cost deals.
Everton have reportedly slapped a £75million price tag on Branthwaite amid interest from Tottenham [TEAMtalk, 11 December], while they will demand £60million from Arsenal amid their interest in Amadou Onana [Fichajes].
Replying to a question during his Q&A for The Athletic [4 January], Ornstein shared: “Everton are expecting a quiet window. If they do anything you imagine it will be loans or low-cost deals again.
“Their focus may be more on keeping what they have, especially with other clubs looking at the likes of Branthwaite and Onana.”
If Everton are unable to do any serious business in the transfer window, it will be crucial to the outcome of their season that they can retain the services of two of their most impressive and important players. With their survival bid ongoing, the duo could make the difference.
Despite a strong run of form since they were handed a ten-point deduction by the Premier League, Everton still find themselves just one point away from the relegation zone, while Luton have a game in hand.
The form of Branthwaite has been the centre to everything good Everton have done this season, striking up a formidable partnership with James Tarkowski at the heart of Sean Dyche’s defence.
Onana, meanwhile, has been inconsistent in his displays, but he remains a key part of Everton’s plans and at just 22 years old is still learning and developing under Dyche’s guidance.
It would not come as a shock to see either player leave at the end of the season, but given their importance to the team, it would be a major shock if they were allowed to leave at the halfway stage.
In other Everton news, the club want to do a deal for an international striker.
