When Rafa Benitez was given the role as manager of Everton, he was reportedly promised funds to spend.
However, as the window has played out for the Toffees, it’s becoming increasingly evident that their finances are limited.
What’s the word?
One way Everton could still spend big in the transfer market is to sell one of their assets.
Moise Kean continues to be linked with the exit door while the ongoing saga with Richarlison is rumbling on in the background.
The Brazilian was the subject of interest from Real Madrid earlier in the window with Carlo Ancelotti even holding a conversation over the phone with him.
Yet, their attraction in the player has died down and it looked as though Richarlison was set to stay at Goodison Park.
A fresh update from reporter Duncan Castles suggests that might not be the case, though.
Speaking on the Transfer Window podcast, he commented: “Kia Joorabchian has told Everton he has a club who wants to sign Richarlison. He told them to prepare for that offer and prepare to secure a replacement.”
Worrying news
If Everton lose Richarlison this summer then fans should be scared about the club’s prospects for this season.
First of all, letting him leave this late in the window gives them very little time to secure a replacement and secondly, they cannot afford to let him depart.
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Richarlison struggled in the second half of last season, failing to assist a single goal from December onwards and not scoring in his final 12 outings.
However, he is still a vitally important player for the Merseyside outfit and has shown as much this term.
He scored 13 goals in all competitions last season and began the new campaign with a goal against Southampton.
That being said, despite picking up four points from their opening two contests of the campaign, they haven’t been too clinical in front of goal, spurning a succession of chances.
Losing the Brazil international, therefore, would not be ideal if they want to improve in this aspect.
Only Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored more goals than him in the blue of Everton last term while he’s one of a few players in the squad who can turn the course of a match instantly.
Demarai Gray has hit the ground running in Everton colours by scoring against Leeds but his record of 13 strikes in 169 games for Leicester means he shouldn’t be relied upon to be Richarlison’s successor.
If he does take his leave this summer, fans should be worried, especially with the club’s conversion rate in 2021/22.