Everton have had a rather quiet transfer window by their standards.
So used to spending significant sums of money in the market, Rafa Benitez has been restricted to making cut-price additions after making the move to Goodison Park.
What’s the word?
Despite limited finances, we could still expect one or two new additions at Everton before the window is up.
The Toffees have regularly been linked with a move for Lazio forward Joaquin Correa but the sheer amount of money they will have to pay makes a deal difficult to envisage.
Everton reporter Patrick Boyland seems to think that a couple of loan deals could be concluded before the deadline.
He was speaking during an Athletic Q&A last weekend after he was questioned about a potential move for Tottenham’s Tanguy Ndombele.
Boyland commented: “They’ve liked him before (they being the recruitment side) but he was obviously out of reach then. The reporting from London seems to suggest he’s available but that Spurs would prefer to recoup some/most of the sizeable transfer fee.
“Everton have looked at midfielders (Longstaff etc) but there’s not much money atm. Maybe a loan or two.”
Intriguing news
It remains to be seen if Spurs are willing to let Ndombele leave but if the Frenchman really isn’t willing to play for Nuno Santo this term, Tottenham could negotiate a loan move that involves a hefty future fee next summer.
That deal would be a difficult one to conclude and would surely be out of the realms of possibility but it’s incredibly intriguing for supporters that Everton are already admirers of him.
If they can wrap up a move for Ndombele then it would be a remarkable piece of business.
Despite his troubled time in north London, the powerful central midfielder is still an enormous talent who can offer plenty to a Premier League side.
He is an incredibly tricky player to deal with, primarily because of his immense strength and ability to carry the ball.
Graceful in possession, Ndombele completed 85.6% of his passes last term while winning 1.2 tackles per match. On top of that, he was successful with 2.2 dribbles a game. That would have seen him top the list of dribblers at Everton last season with Richarlison their highest at 1.8 an outing.
With that in mind, the Spurs gem could offer the Toffees something completely different in the middle of the park.
His attitude is questionable but there is no denying his supreme talent. Just imagine the brute force Everton could build from central areas with him and Abdoulaye Doucoure lining up together.
If the Merseyside outfit is serious about getting back in Europe, this is the type of acquisition they must make. That’s easier said than done, though.