Rafa Benitez has spoken out on Everton’s upcoming transfer prospects as he teased the possibility of new arrivals to the club in January.
Ahead of yesterday’s clash with Norwich City, Benitez spoke on a range of issues as he confirmed squad news, among other typical questions.
However, as shared on Twitter by Evertonian fan channel Toffee TV (@ToffeeTVEFC), the new Everton tactician dropped a sixteen-word brief statement outlining the club’s transfer stance.
‘Hopefully, we can be ready for the next transfer window and we can improve the squad’, commented the Spaniard when asked about preparations for the winter window.
Everton have had to operate with extremely tight financial constraints over the summer owing to compliance with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
Heavy transfer spending in the past and the club’s new stadium development dealt a cruel hand to former Newcastle and Liverpool boss Benitez, who had little to spend in the way of a transfer war chest over the summer.
The club spent just £1.7 million in transfer fees, as per Transfermarkt, with that fee accounting for the sum paid to Bayer Leverkusen for Demarai Gray.
On top of the home-grown attacker’s arrival, Everton also brought in Andros Townsend, Asmir Begovic, Salomon Rondon and Andy Lonergan on free transfers in order to fill gaps in the squad.
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Given FFP restrictions, it is hard to see the club suddenly bandying around vast amounts of cash on new transfers – but equally, the club could find inventive ways to reinforce the squad.
The sale of James Rodriguez for a reported £7.2 million sum to Qatari club Al Rayyan, and the offloading of the playmaker’s wages, could contribute to some extra leeway in January.
