Everton
Premier League • England
EXCLUSIVE: Benitez dipping his hand in Til as Everton chase Dutch maestro
Rafa Benitez is weighing up an Everton transfer move for Dutch starlet Guus Til, who is kickstarting his career back in Holland and is attracting plenty of Premier League interest, TEAMtalk understands.
Toffees manager Rafael Benitez is having to spend shrewdly in the January market with finances once again tight at Goodison. And having suffered a couple more devastating injury blows, the winter window cannot open soon enough.
Indeed, one name we understand that Benitez is looking at is Til – once regarded as one of the finest prospects in Europe.
Indeed, he was already a full international when Spartak Moscow snapped him up for £15million from AZ Alkmaar in 2019.
However, his time in the Russian capital has not gone as expected. Having been loaned to German side Freiburg last season he joined Feyenoord this summer. That latest move only came about after signing an extension at Spartak’s behest, in order to protect his value.
And Spartak’s decision to extend his deal looks a wise one as Til has now emerged once again as one of Holland top prospects.
He’s been outstanding for Feyenoord so far this season with nine goals and two assists already to his name.
Such has been his rapid improvement that Til has recently found himself back in the Netherlands national squad.
Everton transfer hunt for Til
Now we understand a number of clubs from across Europe, including the Toffees are taking a keen interest.
Feyenoord don’t want to lose him, but we understand Spartak possess a recall option which they could use in January. However, any potential buyer could also take up the option to leave him on loan in Rotterdam for the season.
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Everton, however, do face stiff competition for Til. As such, we can reveal Wolves, West Ham, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Brentford and Watford have also expressed an interest.
Despite the English interestit’s thought Til hopes to see out the season in Holland. He wants to cement his place in the Dutch squad ahead of the World Cup finals and wants regular football to impress Louis van Gaal.
Chelsea readying Lucas Digne approach
Everton, meanwhile, could free up space in their squad by offloading the out-of-favour Lucas Digne in January.
Indeed, a report on Tuesday claims Chelsea have reportedly settled on the structure of a deal they hope will land the full-back.
The strength of Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea has undoubtedly been their rock-solid defence. However, for the first time in his reign, questions are now being asked.
No fewer than four of Chelsea’s centre-halves are out of contract next summer. Whether that is having an impact on their form on the pitch, only they will know.
The problems do not stop there, however, with left-wingback becoming a point of contention following Ben Chilwell’s injury.
The England international suffered a partially torn ACL injury in Novemeber. The club opted to hold off on surgery for the time being, though going under the knife remains a possibility.
Marcos Alonso has returned to the eleven in Chilwell’s absence. However, the Spaniard has looked far from his best in recent weeks.
As such, a report claims they’re considering a loan approach for Digne, who has recently fallen out with Benitez.
And in order to make the deal happen, they are stated to have drawn up a loan deal with a £21.3m option to buy in the summer.
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