The only way is up for Everton fans in 2018 following the appointment of Sam Allardyce at the end of November, after the former England and West Ham United manager quickly guided the Toffees away from the relegation places.

Fans from the Blues half of Liverpool are a regular bunch here at The Transfer Tavern, and a set of fans we love welcoming through our big, old doors. Always keen for a chinwag and a pint, the Scouse contingent are expert pool players, and are always keen to challenge our landlord to a quick game before the football kicks off. Table chat often focuses around transfers, and with the January window in full-swing, that was the item on the agenda. Our landlord had news for the fans, with reports in The Daily Mail suggesting that Burnley are interested in taking winger Aaron Lennon to Turf Moor this month.

Fans know that several faces could be heading for the Goodison Park exit in the next few weeks, with Lennon apparently at the front of the queue as Allardyce looks to overhaul the squad he inherited from Ronald Koeman several months ago. With Lennon seemingly on the way, our landlord warned that this pair may not be far behind the former Tottenham man…

Muhamed Besic

Bosnian international Besic arrived at Goodison Park from Hungarian side Ferencvaros in 2014, but has made just thirty-seven appearances during his three-and-a-half year spell in the north west. With Allardyce now at the helm and the player having made just two substitute appearances in the league this term, it is clear that the 25-year-old does not have a future at the club.

Everton have much better options in the middle of the park, with the likes of Idrissa Gueye keeping Besic a long way from the starting XI, and a move away appears to suit all parties at this point in time. Besic will surely attract plenty of interest from the continent, but could opt to stay in England, with Championship and lower-half sides in the Premier League potentially interested in doing business with the Toffees. Unfortunately for Besic, he has failed to make his mark at Everton, and it is time the club cut their losses on the midfielder.

Ademola Lookman

Lookman looked sublime in the summer as England lifted the U20 World Cup in South Korea, but has failed to break into the first-team at Everton on a regular basis. Signing from Charlton Athletic a year ago, Lookman looked the part towards the end of last season, but just hasn’t been up to first-team standard in training this year.

The player has appeared just six times in the league making one start, and a loan move could do the 20-year-old the world of good this month. Lookman is destined for great things in the Premier League, but just needs that fresh boost to rediscover the form he showed for Charlton, Everton last season, and England in the summer.

Premier League and Championship clubs would clamber to secure a short-term deal for the player, and Allardyce will have his pick of clubs to choose from when deciding where Lookman’s development may continue at the rate he wishes to see. The player can make a difference at the club this year, but while he isn’t in the manager’s plans, may as well be playing his football elsewhere.

Everton fans, does Lookman deserve a chance this season? Let us know!