Everton got what they wanted from January transfer window [Opinion]

Reflecting on the January transfer window, it is hard not to feel that it has been anything other than a successful one for Everton.

Director of Football Marcel Brands left little to ambiguity when he outlined that shifting unwanted players – and their wages – off the Toffees’ books was of paramount importance in January, and the club achieved just that.

Moreover, a series of development loans were secured for a plethora of Evertonian youngsters who have made varying impressions on first team affairs under the reign of Carlo Ancelotti.

The likes of Jarrad Branthwaite, Anthony Gordon and Ellis Simms are just some hot prospects set to enjoy valuable senior experience in the Football League, whilst Jonjoe Kenny’s loan to Celtic could put him in the shop window for future suitors.

More experienced but peripheral players such as Yannick Bolasie, Jonas Lossl and Cenk Tosun also secured moves away from Goodison Park. The Danish goalkeeper joined FC Midtjylland permanently and the Turkish striker was loaned to Besiktas, whilst Bolasie will be a free agent once his loan deal at Middlesbrough concludes.

In total, eight players departed during the January transfer window.

READ EVERTON VERDICT

Whether for Everton’s developmental purposes or simply to offload players, nobody can accuse Brands and the wider recruitment team of inefficiency in January.

There was further cause for excitement as the club secured an 11th-hour deal for experienced Bournemouth centre-forward Joshua King for a fee described as ‘nominal’.

In what looks to be a bargain addition, the 29-year-old joins on as the Toffees’ new number 11 and brings a record of 48 goals and 14 assists in 161 Premier League appearances.

With money freed up, a bargain attacking addition which even Ancelotti admitted was a summer target and a further fulfilment of the club’s long-run ambitions, Everton club officials deserve enormous praise for their work during the January transfer window.