When Rafa Benitez was announced as Everton manager it was soon revealed that he’d be given a healthy transfer kitty in the ongoing window.
However, that seemingly couldn’t be further from the truth with the Toffees prioritising cost-effective measures instead.
What’s the word?
As a result, Everton are struggling to complete even the most basic of transfers.
They have secured three moves already but the net spend on those deals fails to surpass the £1.7m they paid for Demarai Gray.
In any ordinary window for the Merseyside club, they’d have probably wrapped up a deal for Denzel Dumfries already given how cheap he is.
The flying Dutch wing-back has been linked with the Toffees ever since his exploits at Euro 2020 but Inter Milan have stolen a march in the race to acquire his services.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano who delivered the following update on Dumfries’ future to his Twitter followers:
“Inter are pushing to sign Denzel Dumfries from PSV. Talks opened for €12m bid - PSV want more as price tag, Everton are not progressing in negotiations for Dumfries since days.”
Worrying news
The final passage of Romano’s tweet should come as a particular concern to the adoring Goodison Park crowd.
With Seamus Coleman’s contract expiring in a year’s time, they will need a right-back primed and ready to take his place in the squad.
Crucially, that player will also need to be first-team ready and proven at some of the highest levels in the game.
Dumfries is that man and at the price tag mooted, it’s almost bewildering that talks haven’t progressed.
Marcel Brands sought a loan move earlier this week but that clearly hasn’t come to fruition despite his value sitting at a measly £15m.
Therefore, not being able to stump up the cash for a player so cheap will leave supporters fuming.
After all, when you consider the vast sums of money they’ve spent in recent years, this is a mere snip.
The Toffees have spent poorly on players like Alex Iwobi who cost around £34m, Jean-Philippe Gbamin for £25m and Davy Klaassen for £23.6m.
Consequently, not having the cash reserves in order to be able to sign Dumfries is peculiar.
At a price below £20m, he’d have been an exceptional signing. He scored twice for his country at the recent European Championships and has shown himself to have every trait associated with a modern full-back.
Everton supporters should be aghast that a transfer can’t be completed.