Everton could head into the winter transfer market head-on, with Rafa Benitez hoping to spend the club's money more wisely going forward.

Sporting director, Marcel Brands, will have a job on his hands to make the right moves this January as Everton are currently falling behind in the race for European football spots in the Premier League.

Rafa Benitez's side are sitting 11th in the league, with just four wins in their Premier League challenge so far, the Spanish manager will be looking to improve his side and climb up the table to achieve European football in the season ahead.

There has been one particular Premier League loan signing that has caught the attention of everyone over the season so far and has now captured the attention of England manager, Gareth Southgate, too.

Conor Gallagher has been tearing it up at Crystal Palace with the midfielder showing impressive attacking capabilities with four goals and two assists in 11 appearances for the South London club, with the performances earning him his first England call up.

The 20-year-old has been called up to the England side due to a number of players dropping out of the last World Cup Qualifying fixture of the international break against San Marino, and will be hoping to make his mark on the team to impress Southgate ahead of the World Cup 2022.

Everton were previously linked with the youngster, when they were encouraged to scout the £13.5m-rated midfielder, after Blues officials watched him over ten times between 2018 and 2020, but never made an official move.

The Chelsea loanee, should they reignite their interest, would be an incredible addition to Everton and would become a long term solution to short term problems that the Toffees have been experiencing with inconsistency in their midfield after Abdoulaye Doucoure's injury.

For starters, he'd give them more of an all-around presence in the middle of the park, both from an offensive and defensive point of view when you consider the numbers he's contributed this term.

Crystal Palace podcaster, HLTCO, took to his Twitter account to praise the "transformative force" of Gallagher upon his England selection;

"Conor Gallagher has been a truly transformative force in the Palace midfield since joining the club. I’m over the moon for him, it’s a richly deserved call-up for one of the most energetic footballers I’ve ever had the joy of watching."

Brands and Benitez will have a challenge on their hands to secure the signature of the 20-year-old central midfielder, as he continues to thrive at Crystal Palace, and draw attention from many title-challenging Premier League clubs, including his parent club, Chelsea.

That said, if he finds himself with no future at Stamford Bridge, the top brass at Goodison must ensure he becomes their player. They can't afford to let all of that scouting go down the drain.

And in other news, Rafa could revive Everton’s season by unleashing £40.5m-rated “nightmare”...