Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has refuted speculation over a number of transfer targets the Toffees may well look to pursue in the January window.
The Italian has insisted there have been no talks of any kind with the Toffees hierarchy over any upcoming transfer plans as the opening of the international transfer market looms.
Instead, the 61-year-old insists that his focus is on the upcoming ‘difficult period’ in December, in which fixtures are densely compacted, particularly around Christmas and the New Year. Everton are soon to face both Chelsea and Arsenal in the Premier League, whilst a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester City beckons.
Speaking when quizzed over links to hotly-rumoured target Isco, and whether there had been discussions with Director of Football Marcel Brands, Ancelotti was quick to shut down speculation.
“No, we didn’t have a discussions about this,” he said in comments via Liverpool Echo.
“I think we have time to talk about this. In this moment we are focused on our game, on our season and we want to move forward, quickly, from a difficult period.”
The Liverpool Echo noted that Everton have rarely conducted business during the winter under the reign of Brands, having only signed Jarrad Branthwaite as a peripheral prospect from League Two Carlisle in January this year for the modest fee of £750,000.
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Ancelotti’s comments may be casually dismissed as a cynical media training, although his stance makes a degree of sense. Whilst he undoubtedly holds a role in green-lighting targets, most transfer affairs are delegated to Brands by virtue of his role.
Consequently, Ancelotti may not be the most in-the-know figure as to the state of the Toffees’ transfer business.
