Everton

Everton

Premier League • England

Everton plot January raid on Man Utd with one key factor in mind

Jesse Lingard Man Utd

Everton are looking into the possibility of landing a Manchester United star in January, according to a report.

Rafa Benitez is operating under strict financial rules as a result of the Toffees’ lavish spending in the past. During the summer, he signed four players on free transfers and brought in Demarai Gray for just £1.6million.

Everton cannot go big on any players in the winter window as they will break Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

Their shrewd spending has worked in their favour, however. Gray arrived with low expectations but has thrived so far at Goodison Park. He has notched three goals and one assist in eight Premier League appearances.

Andros Townsend is one of the four players who arrived for free. He is on five goals in all competitions already this term.

It’s no wonder that Benitez is searching for more hidden gems ahead of 2022. With FFP in mind, he is reportedly plotting a January raid on Premier League rivals United.

Football Insider write that the Toffees have ‘set their sights’ on England international Jesse Lingard. They need to replace Gylfi Sigurdsson in central attacking midfield.

The 32-year-old will leave Goodison Park once his contract expires in June. Lingard is viewed as an exceptional replacement.

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He shouldn’t cost too much either. The player wants out at Old Trafford after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer failed to live up to his promise over game time.

Everton reckon they can sign Lingard on an initial loan deal until the end of the campaign. They would then convert it into a permanent one come the summer.

This would prevent them from breaking FFP regulations, while also adding real quality to the squad.

Lingard is not the only United player being targeted. Everton could return for Donny van de Beek next year after failing to sign him this summer.

Everton’s next game is against Watford on Saturday afternoon. United, meanwhile, face Liverpool in a huge clash on Sunday at 16:30.


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Everton ace of interest to Newcastle

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s newly-found riches has seen them join the hunt for an Everton attacker.

The Telegraph report that Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a ‘real target’ for Magpies chiefs. He is ‘highly regarded by the current recruitment team at Newcastle’.

The Englishman has been out of action since August due to injury. But his goals record speaks for itself – 21 goals in 39 games during the 2020-21 campaign.

It’s not clear how much Everton would want for Calvert-Lewin’s services. Given his importance to Benitez, and the fact that Newcastle are an English rival, it could be a huge fee.

The 24-year-old’s strike partner, Brazil international Richarlison, is wanted by PSG as a potential replacement for Kylian Mbappe.

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