Finance Expert shares only transfer surprise at Everton as deadline quickly approaches

Everton have not done any serious business in the winter transfer window so far.

Ahead of this season, Everton splashed the cash on Southampton winger Tyling Dibling, forking out £35million for the 19-year-old.

Everton paid £27m to lure striker Thierno Barry from Villarreal, while the Toffees spent another £25m on Chelsea’s attacking midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

But in the winter transfer window, Everton have done little to nothing.

Harrison Armstrong has been recalled from his Preston loan, Will Tamen has moved to Tranmere Rovers on loan, and Harry Tyrer has joined Cardiff permanently.

Now, the thinking behind this lack of activity is becoming clear, despite David Moyes’ side being in with a shout of securing European football next season.

Everton planning for the long-term

Although playing in Europe next term will be a great incentive, it seems 10th-placed Everton are content with their current squad, especially now that Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye are back from AFCON.

Everton loanee Jack Grealish is set for time out with a foot injury, but other than that, the Toffees don’t have many big injury concerns.

Indeed, Dewsbury-Hall and Jarrad Branthwaite have just returned after a spell on the sidelines.

And after moving into the Hill Dickinson Stadium and spending nearly £100m last summer, thanks in part to owners The Friedkin Group, financial expert Dan Plumley can understand Everton’s strategy

Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, he said: “With Everton, it was more a case of would they look to cover their injuries because they have lost Grealish to injury, Dewsbury-Hall returned against Leeds, but he’s been out for a while.

“But because a few were coming back from AFCON, we didn’t expect them to spend big. That wasn’t part of their long-term plan, despite the prospect of European football being close.

“I think the surprise comes from the fact that they’ve not looked to bolster with maybe a couple of reinforcements. I think it’s one of those where they’re now looking more towards the medium to long term, which is absolutely the right thing to do.

“European football has been tantalising this season because that is the long-term aim, but you wouldn’t expect to get there quickly. That’s probably where some of the narratives come from.

“Never say never, we’re still a few days out from the end of the window, but it stacks up with them planning for the future.”

• Read more: Everton to get more value as player offered in late bid to seal new transfer – Expert

Who is on Everton’s transfer radar ahead of the deadline?

While the Merseyside outfit, who are one point outside the European qualification spots, have been ghostly quiet on the transfer front, Moyes’ side have still been linked with players during the winter window.

Manchester City defender John Stones is said to be on Everton’s radar, in what would be a fairytale return to the club that really kick-started his career.

Everton have been credited with interest in Al-Nassr’s Wesley as they seek to bolster an attack that has scored 25 goals in 23 Premier League games.

On the flip side, former Rangers full-back Nathan Patterson has been linked with an Everton exit despite featuring against Leeds United on Monday.

And Everton star Tim Iroegbunam is attracting interest towards the tail end of the winter transfer window.

But if nobody is coming in, it seems unlikely Everton would allow players to leave unless they are really on the fringes. This could be a forgettable window for the Toffees.

Stay up to date this winter with our Everton transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Hill Dickinson, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.

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