With Everton seemingly having a little more money than usual for the January Transfer window, we look at who the Blues are being linked with and the possibility of the signing happening.
Aiden McGeady
Talk of McGeady signing has ramped up in recent days. It seems that the Republic of Ireland international is free to walk out of the door after a bust-up with current club manager Valery Karpin. The former Celtic winger has played 92 times for Spartak, scoring 13 and assisting 28, which isn’t a bad return. He is renowned in Scotland and Ireland as being pacy and tricky, with little end product. Stats would suggest this is unfair. It is thought that Martinez wouldn’t have to spend a penny on McGeady, as long as he takes the wage chore from Spartak, a deal that will be similar to Heitinga leaving Everton.
Possibility of signing: High – ‘In for McGeady?’
Alfred Finnbogason
The 24-year-old striker has been linked with a move to England for some time now, after an impressive scoring record in the Dutch leagues. He scored 24 goals in 33 appearances for Heerenveen last season and has upped that rate this season, scoring 17 in 15! There is always a worry over the dutch league, players like Alfonso Alves, Ryan Babel and Jan Vannegoor of Hesselink have come over and not continued their high scoring rates or shown the potential they had promised. However, players like Van Nistlerooy, Bergkamp, Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez have shown there is a bargain to be found for top class players.
Possibility of signing: Good – ‘May have to wait until the summer’
Fernando
The Blues attempted to sign the former Porto man in August, but failed to get his Portuguese club to budge from a £15 million price tag set with only one year left on his contract. It was claimed by some Evertonians waiting outside finch farm on that busy final day that Martinez claimed we’d be back in for him. It is looking less and less likely as time has gone on however, with Inter Milan showing interest in getting the strong box-to-box central midfielder on a pre-contract agreement to sign in the summer for free. It would take a cut price bid to speak to the Brazilian-Portuguese, but whether his heart is set on other interest is unknown.
Possibility of signing: Low – ‘January move for Fernando?’
Thomas Ince
It really is hard to tell where the young winger will end up. He’s been touted to go to lots of Premier League clubs such as Newcastle, West Ham, Swansea, Crystal Palace and ourselves. He turned down a move to Cardiff in the summer to stay up north with his newborn son, but it seems he could now move on. There is also interest from abroad with Inter Milan and Ajax, although they would prefer to sign him on a pre-contract to join up in the summer. Ince’s attitude is in no doubt, he moved at his young age from Liverpool to Blackpool to play more games and has reiterated that he will only sign for a club where he’ll know he’ll get games, which possibly rules out the moves abroad. Last but not least, his talent is right up there and he is getting better all the time. 18 goals and 14 assists in the Championship last season, 7 goals and 5 assists so far this season.
Possibility of signing: Low – ‘Everton target Ince’
Michy Batshuayi
According to reports both Everton and Arsenal have sent scouts over to watch the young Belgian strut his stuff for Standard Liege. He’s scored 15 goals so far this season and can also play on the wings, something that makes his transfer very proposing to Roberto Martinez. There is a clause in his contract which means clubs can speak to the 20-year-old for £8 million. Batshuayi has said that Arsenal would be his preferred club and he also has problems with his attitude, so the transfer could be complicated if Martinez wants to proceed for the certainly talented youngster.
Possibility of signing: Medium – ‘Blues to rival Arsenal for next Lukaku’
Ryan Gauld, Andrew Robertson and John Souttar
These three starlets ply their trade for Dundee United in Scotland. Gauld has been heralded as a ‘mini Messi’ after showing plenty of skill, goals and assists in his short time in the Scottish Premier League. Andrew Robertson has been showing plenty of potential in the left-back area and John Souttar has been shining in the centre-back position. It seems like Gauld is the most wanted playerby top end clubs, but who is going to risk the fee for him is unsure. Everton could be tempted to make a more for one, two or all three of these players, a move that could benefit the youngsters to fit in straight away with known team mate compatriots. Martinez was apparently at Dundee’s most recent game, apparently casting his eye over one of these players.
Possibility of signing: High (Maybe not all three) – ‘Double Swoop?’
Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu
Another one that has been linked on our news-site recently. Badu is a rising star in the Serie A and this has been brought to the attention of quite a few Premier League teams this season. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have been linked to the player in the past and it is thought that a bid of around £7m would be enough to secure his services. This is the estimated money that Martinez has this month and so it could be a goer, but it is unlikely.
Possibility of signing: Low – ‘Everton and Liverpool target Ghanaian midfielder’