Everton to free up funds for signings by selling unwanted trio

Everton have reportedly made Oumar Niasse, Cuco Martina and Cenk Tosun available in order to raise funds for new signings.

According to the Daily Star, the Toffees are unlikely to spend big this month, as they are expected to announce record losses and need to reduce the size of their squad.

But the Merseysiders have targeted several potential signings, if they can bring in funds to add fresh talent to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.

Among them is St Etienne centre-back Wesley Fofana, who is rumoured to have been targeted by a host of clubs across Europe.

The report adds that Ancelotti would have to beat the likes of RB Leipzig, Monaco, Stuttgart and his old club AC Milan for Fofana’s signature.

St Etienne are said to be ready to sell the 19-year-old Frenchman for the right price in the summer and that would suit Everton as they are not looking for any major additions this month.

But Ancelotti wants to start laying the groundwork for new arrivals and that is why he is looking to offload some players first.

Niasse, Tosun and Martina appear to be on the chopping block as they have fallen down the pecking order the last few months.

Niasse has only made two appearances for Everton this season, while Tosun has only managed to play five times in the Premier League this season as he has been sidelined by the impressive form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Martina is not part of Ancelotti’s plans at all and has yet to play a single game for the team this season.

The Everton boss insists that he has a good idea of how he wants to improve his squad but refused to confirm whether he is targeting the likes of Adrien Rabiot, James Rodriguez or Steven Nzonzi, who all have been linked with a move to Goodison.

Meanwhile, Everton are understood to be leading the chase for Hamilton Academical’s starlet Jamie Hamilton, we can reveal.

The 17-year-old defender has emerged as one of the brightest young prospects in Scottish football, and he is already playing regular first-team football.

Now Everton’s scouts have sent back glowing reports on the teenager, and Hamilton are bracing themselves for bids. Read more…