Everton have been speculated to be interested in Udinese defender Rodrigo Becao and now a reliable source has given an update on the club's pursuit of the player ahead of the upcoming transfer window in January.

What's the latest?

Italian journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Everton have "cooled" their interest in Becao.

He told Caught Offside:

“Everton were interested in signing Udinese defender Rodrigo Becao during the summer, but have since cooled their interest. There are no talks ongoing now between Udinese and any other club.

“Despite what you might be hearing elsewhere, there are currently no talks between Arsenal or Tottenham and Udinese for Rodrigo Becao. What I can tell you is that he was an option for Everton last summer, but it’s gone quiet now – there are no talks ongoing with Udinese.”

It's a big risk for Lampard

The Toffees have found themselves in a similar position as they were last season over their current Premier League campaign and Frank Lampard must do everything in his power during the January transfer window to improve the team where possible to secure survival in the top flight.

Everton are currently one point off the relegation zone, 17th in the league table, and it's a big risk for the manager to not sign a player who could improve their defensive depth in the second half of the season.

Over nine appearances, the 26-year-old dynamo has scored one goal, registered one assist and created one big chance, as well as averaging three tackles, 1.6 clearances and winning 6.6 duels per game, proving that he is not only a solid and reliable presence in defence but also an attacking threat too.

Indeed, Everton have much more pressing issues to tackle in their forward line with Dominic Calvert-Lewin constantly suffering from injury problems and a struggle to replace Richarlison's goals since he made the move to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.

Only Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored fewer goals than Everton this season so far and they currently occupy the very bottom position in the Premier League, so Lampard must search for a solution to fixing Everton's poor finishing and lack of attacking prowess in the final third.

With that being said, it will be interesting to see if the powers at Goodison Park give Lampard the opportunity to strengthen his team in the new year as making moves in the transfer window could be season-defining for the Toffees.