The general belief that Everton won’t be engaged in many, if any, transfers this month has been validated by Sean Dyche.
The Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules placed strict restrictions on the Blues’ summertime dealings, with an initial investment of just £3 million. The team also struggled with cash flow as Farhad Moshiri got ready to sell his full interest.
Everton raised almost £50 million in sales as a result, but Dyche was left with a small squad that has been put to the test in recent games due to the demanding winter schedule taking a toll.
The team is particularly light on defensive midfield options but whereas the January transfer window usually offers the possibility of bolstering numbers for the second half of the campaign, Everton have no budget for signings.
Any incoming players would have to be loans or free-agent acquisitions, that is unless Kevin Thelwell can raise additional funds through further sales.
“To do any deals, the club has to be in a situation to do the deals,” Dyche explained in his press conference ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. “Kev certainly had to work hard to construct deals that could work in the summer.
“We managed to do that, we managed to rebalance the squad; we had to lose to some players as well.
“The situation [now] is similar but different. You never know with the twists and turns of football how deals present themselves but at this moment in time it’s very likely to be quiet.”
On the prospect of players leaving this month, particularly those being eyed by other clubs like Jarrad Branthwaite, the manager said:
“That would be down to the powers that be. The squad is showing signs of progress so you don’t want to take that to pieces, certainly not mid-season, but the club might view that differently.”
Contrary to media speculation, likey driven by agent talk, Everton have not made any contact with the representatives of former Manchester United player, Jesse Lingard, who is a free agent after leaving Nottingham Forest last summer.
