Everton prospects grim after Dyche failed to ‘persuade’ Man Utd to let fringe forward go
Everton’s chances of Premier League survival look grim, as they failed to lure fringe attacker Anthony Elanga to the club on a loan deal from Manchester United.
A poor January transfer window was underlined by Anthony Gordon’s departure and no fresh faces coming to the club to replace him.
Indeed, Sean Dyche tried his best to spend some money in his first window at the club. Interest was reported in Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi among others.
However, it seems none of those players saw the allure of a relegation dog fight. Attempts to sign a Manchester United attacker also came to no avail.
Indeed, Everton reportedly attempted a last-gasp snare for Elanga. They were one of a few sides interested in the forward, and he was apparently open to the idea of leaving.
However, despite having another seven attacking options to choose from, Erik ten Hag blocked the transfer. Indeed, journalist Vinny O’Connor reported Everton ‘couldn’t persuade United’ to let Elanga go out on loan.
With that, the window closed, with Everton having not added anybody to the squad. The outlook now looks bleak, and they’re staring down the barrel of relegation.
It’ll be tough for Everton to think positively, given they weren’t even able to lure a player with five Premier League starts this season to the club.
It’s an added kick in the teeth for the Toffees that Elanga actually seemed open to the idea. With that being the case, they’d have added a player with top-flight experience, who was up for the fight.
Instead, they’re stuck with the same squad that’s scored 15 league goals all season. What’s more, the goalscorer of three of those goals, Gordon, no longer plays for them.
Indeed, it seems it’ll take a fantastic effort from Dyche to keep Everton up. Frank Lampard narrowly managed to do so with a similar squad last season, but he was buoyed by the additions of Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek – effective or not, at least they were fresh faces.
This one could be the history-making season in which Everton are relegated from the Premier League.
READ MORE: Everton reject Chelsea support as Dyche turns down chance to snap up young Blues star