The ongoing situation in Ukraine has led to consequences for Everton, with Alisher Usmanov's lucrative sponsorship of the club being suspended - with the Toffees already on the verge of a points deduction due to "breaking profit and sustainability rules" after recording a loss of £155m more than they are allowed to in a three-year period, between 2017 and 2020.

To make matters worse, even if a points deduction isn't handed out to them, the team on the pitch could yet be relegated anyway after a torrid run-of-form which has seen them win just one Premier League match in 2022, losing their other seven.

What's the news?

It's unlikely now due to a combination of their poor form and standing in the league as well as their financial issue, that even if they secure their top-flight status for next season, their key players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison will stay at the club beyond this summer.

Their departures will mean that Everton will need to replace them with smart, bargain signings who are ready for Premier League football, and while players that fit that profile are limited, boss Frank Lampard could take advantage of the new foreign players in Ukraine and Russia transfer window and sign Pedrinho from Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Toffees are reportedly interested in signing the Brazilian forward, who is claimed to want his future finalised by Friday, and at the moment just Wolves are interested in the former Benfica prospect.

Must sign in these circumstances

With the window closing on April 7th, interested clubs must act fast to secure transfers of foreign stars currently playing for Ukrainian and Russian clubs - and due to them all now being considered 'out of contract', Everton will likely be most keen of all to get a deal done for the 23-year-old forward.

Their rebuild can't be costly, even if funds are raised this summer, making this the perfect opportunity to sign a key player for the team in the future, but also someone who can help steer the club away from relegation.

Any chance to strengthen the squad at this point of the campaign would surely be a masterclass, especially if they can help the Toffees beat the dreaded drop, something that when taking a look at the statistics suggests he could do.

Pedrinho is a 23-year-old left-footed right winger who hasn't yet shown his full promise in Europe that he showed while with Corinthians back in Brazil, where he scored eight goals and made eight assists before signing with Benfica for £16.20m.

This season, the forward has made 0.69 goal contributions per 90 with the Ukrainian outfit - his best return of his career, having made zero for the year before with the Portuguese club, while Shakhtar have scored 13 more goals than they have conceded while he was on the pitch. As a result, he'd certainly be a solid addition to their ranks.

Described by Football Talent Scout - Jacek Kulig as a "flamboyant winger" who is most similar to Riyad Mahrez, the Brazilian moved on to Shakhtar last summer for the same fee, and with a market valuation of £15.3m, it's probable that his re-sell value will soar should he hit the ground running at Everton - making him a must-sign.

If he plays anything like Mahrez has in English football, the acquisition will be a guaranteed masterclass.

In other news: Lampard could unearth a new £40.5m-rated "threat" in Everton's never-seen 16 y/o