Everton supporters in the Football Transfer Tavern will certainly be enjoying their side’s Premier League form since the turn of the year.
The Toffees have won all three of their English top flight matches in 2017 to move themselves up to seventh in the standings, with the latest triumph coming in a 1-0 success against strugglers Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last weekend, which followed up the impressive 4-0 thrashing of Manchester City – a result that sent the Everton fans standing at the bar into raptures.
The Merseyside outfit’s squad has been strengthened throughout the January transfer window too following the arrivals of Morgan Schneiderlin from Manchester United, Ademola Lookman from Charlton Athletic and, most recently, forward Anton Donkor from Wolfsburg on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old attacker will link up with the Under-23 squad rather than the first team, but the fans standing at the bar will hope that Ronald Koeman will make further additions that can challenge the starting XI before the window slams shut on Tuesday – the landlord would like to see at least one new face before then.
Here are TWO that could potentially follow Donkor to Goodison Park before the end of the month…
Harry Maguire
With Phil Jagielka seemingly out of favour under Ronald Koeman and summer signing Ashley Williams getting no younger, the Everton boss could be looking to sign a new centre-back before the transfer window closes next week – it is a move that would be backed by the Toffees fans that frequent the tavern.
A former centre-half himself, one player that is understood to have caught the Dutchman’s eye is Hull City’s Harry Maguire, who has been one of the bright lights for the Tigers in what has generally been a bit of a disastrous season.
Despite his side’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend, the 23-year-old was named as the man of the match after a brilliant display in which he showed his impact at both ends of the pitch with seven clearances, eight interceptions as well as four shots at goal – the landlord couldn’t fail to be impressed by his showing against the Premier League leaders.
Nicolas Pepe
According to reports in France, Everton are one of a number of English clubs taking a closer look at the Angers forward, and it is a move that would make sense after Toffees winger Gerard Deulofeu joined AC Milan on loan earlier this week – the exit of the Spaniard has certainly divided opinion in the tavern.
The 21-year-old was part of the Ivory Coast squad that was sent home from the African Cup of Nations on Tuesday after they failed to finish in the top two in their group, meaning any deal could now be accelerated with the January transfer window set to close on Tuesday.
Pepe has made 18 appearances in Ligue 1 for the French outfit this term, scoring two goals and picking up one assist – not stats that might impress the landlord, but with Yannick Bolasie out injured, he knows the side is missing that pacey and exciting wide man.
