Sean Dyche urges patience as Everton face uncertainty in January transfer window
- Rob Fleming
- 21 December 2023
Sean Dyche has stressed it is a case of having to "wait and see" in terms of what Everton might do in the January transfer window.
The Toffees are currently 16th in the Premier League, seven points above the relegation zone, after last month being deducted 10 points for breaching profitability and sustainability rules.
Club owner Farhad Moshiri signed an agreement with American investment firm 777 Partners in September to acquire his controlling stake in the club, a deal that is still to be ratified.
Asked on Thursday if there was scope to add to the squad in January, Everton boss Dyche said: "We don't know. At this current time we'll be sitting tight and seeing what can be done.
"Squad-wise – I think when everyone is fit, we've got a good squad, a balanced squad. The depth of it is in question because of injuries and because of the game schedule. There's a very thick set of games over December, the amount, the turnaround, so that has affected us unfortunately.
"But regarding the finance, we'll have to wait and see."
While they made a Carabao Cup quarter-final exit via a penalty shoot-out at the hands of Fulham at Goodison Park on Tuesday, Everton have won their last four league matches.
Dyche was asked if that recent form put the club in a better position in terms of trying to acquire players, and he said: "The best position you can ever be in to get targets is having money.
"We can talk about it all we want. Everyone has targets, everyone is doing their homework. Every club has got departments doing all kinds of analysis on players. At some point, you need money."
Dyche was speaking at a press conference ahead of Saturday's league trip to Tottenham, the team Arnaut Danjuma was on loan with from Villarreal last season before making a similar move this term to Everton in a deal that was set to last the whole season.
Danjuma has made nine league appearances for the Merseysiders so far, with only three of those starts, and the most recent coming in September.
It was reported by Spain's Cadena Ser this week that Villarreal are considering recalling the Netherlands forward next month, and Dyche said: "He continues to train well, to be part of the group – we want him to do so.
"He came on the other night and I thought he delivered. He's got to wait his turn. I think the wide players have been very good, Dwight (McNeil) and Jack (Harrison).
"The balance of the side looks right, so you have to keep working hard and wait for your opportunities to come."
Saturday's contest could see left-back Vitalii Mykolenko return to action after a groin issue. Seamus Coleman is also close to a comeback, while Ashley Young and Abdoulaye Doucoure (hamstring) continue their recoveries.
