Angry Everton fans protest lack of signings

Everton were the only Premier League side not to make a January signing after allowing Anthony Gordon to move to Newcastle for £40m.

The new manager, Sean Dyche wanted two attacking additions to help in the fight for Premier League survival but none were forthcoming as Everton ended the window as the only top-flight club not to make a signing in January. 

The Toffees are in talks with former Swansea and West Ham forward Andre Ayew to try and secure an attacking addition.

 The 33-year-old Ghana international is a free agent after his contract with the Qatar club Al Sadd was recently terminated by mutual consent and can therefore sign after Tuesday’s deadline.

According to a report from The Guardian, Farhad Moshiri made promises that Everton would secure a much-needed striker in January, the club ended the window with a weaker squad than when it opened. 

Anthony Gordon was sold to Newcastle for an initial upfront payment of £40m but the money was not reinvested in a team that have struggled for goals all season and are immersed in another relegation battle.

Everton had a bid worth £20m plus add-ons rejected for the Udinese striker Beto Betuncal. The 25-year-old’s release clause is in excess of £30m but Everton refused to increase their offer and, with no time to find a replacement, the Italian club refused to lower their valuation.

A loan move for Watford’s Ismaïla Sarr was rejected, despite Everton proposing an obligation to buy the Senegal international in the event of staying up.

Southampton completed an £18m deal for the Genk forward Paul Onuachu, who had been offered to Everton while Michy Batshuayi reportedly rejected the chance to move to Goodison.

Conor Gallagher did not want to leave Chelsea for a relegation struggle while a late move for the Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta also failed.

The shambolic end to a fruitless transfer window prompted some fans to visit the club’s Finch Farm training complex late on Tuesday to express their anger at the board.