Everton are unlikely to spend a seismic sum in the remaining weeks of the transfer window.
It’s a frustrating time for every supporter at Goodison Park who were keen on seeing a positive start under Rafa Benitez.
What’s the word?
The Toffees look set to miss out on Denzel Dumfries this summer with Inter Milan now leading the race to sign the Dutchman.
Unfortunately, Benitez and co face further competition to sign another of their main targets, Denis Zakaria.
The Switzerland midfielder was linked with a move to Everton courtesy of German journalist Christian Falk on Wednesday.
Taking to social media, he said: “Arsenal, Spurs, Everton are in talks for a transfer of Denis Zakaria (24). Competitors from Italy: Roma and Napoli.”
Currently of Borussia Monchengladbach, he is rated at £27m via Transfermarkt.
Their next Idrissa Gueye
Everton currently have two tough-tackling midfielders in their ranks in the form of Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
However, not since Idrissa Gueye left for PSG in 2019 have they had a proper replacement.
The Senegal international has quickly become one of the most underrated defensive midfielders in European footballers, earning a move to the French giants after starring in the Premier League.
He is a mean tackler of the ball and during his final campaign in Merseyside, won a whopping 4.3 tackles per game and won 2.2 interceptions a match.
Those are phenomenal numbers for a player who has now shone in the Champions League for PSG as well.
Zakaria might not have the same sort of statistics but the numbers still dictate that he can do a similar job to Gueye at Goodison Park.
Described as a “rare talent” by GIFN editor, Kaustubh Pandey, he won as many as 2.1 tackles an outing in the 2019/20 Bundesliga.
With a pass success rate of 88% under his belt too, Everton would clearly be in very safe hands if they lured the 24-year-old to English football.
He has plenty of room to grow and would add plenty to Benitez’s midfield.