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It is fair to say that Tottenham Hotspur have performed admirably despite losing talisman Harry Kane over the summer, with new skipper Heung-min Son leading the charge at the top end of the pitch as the club's leading scorer this season.

While the South Korean sensation has looked at home in his new, unorthodox number nine role, the question remains as to whether he is a long-term fit through the middle, with teammate Richarlison also still dividing opinion after scoring just five league goals for the club to date.

With Ange Postecoglou likely still hoping to fill the void that was left behind by the club's all-time top scorer – Kane – following his departure to Bayern Munich, it is then no surprise that the Lilywhites have been touted to make a high-profile swoop in January.

Spurs could sign Son a "terrifying" £75m partner who loves Harry Kane

Postecoglou will look to add a true striker to his side.

By
Tom Lever

Dec 13, 2023

One striking target who has been mooted of late is none other than Brentford star, Ivan Toney, with the 27-year-old likely to spark something of a transfer battle, either in the new year or next summer.

Spurs transfer targets – Ivan Toney

As per a recent report from the Mirror, Spurs are said to be 'in the running' for Toney's signature ahead of the upcoming transfer window, with London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea also believed to be plotting a move for the one-time Newcastle United man.

The indication is that Postecoglou is 'optimistic' of securing a new centre-forward next month, albeit the jury is out on whether the England international will be that man, with the Bees likely keen to keep hold of their prize asset until the summer.

Equally, any deal for the former Peterborough marksman – who is currently sidelined due to a betting ban – is likely to cost an arm and a leg, with a fee as high as £100m having been suggested.

For a player currently valued at just €20m (£17m), according to CIES Football Observatory, that may appear rather steep, yet Toney's prior Premier League success should make him a worthwhile investment.

The stats to show why Spurs should sign Ivan Toney

Still seeking to replace the 30 league goals that Kane plundered last term, Postecoglou could well forget all about the England captain by turning to Toney in 2024, with the latter man proving his top-flight credentials with 32 league goals since Brentford's promotion in 2021.

While the £20k-per-week hitman – who fired Thomas Frank's side out of the Championship with 33 goals in 2020/21 – has been out of action this season, there should not be too many fears over his ability to hit the ground running once he can return to the pitch.

If a deal is agreed for the "proven goalscorer" – as described by pundit Jermaine Pennant – then Spurs could find their answer to a certain Ian Wright, with the beloved pundit memorably trading Crystal Palace for another north London outfit, Arsenal, back in 1991.

That is the view of Pennant, at least, who recently described Toney as like a "modern era Ian Wright" amid reports of a possible move to the Emirates, albeit with the hope being that the in-demand ace choose the Lilywhites over the Gunners in the near future.

In the case of Wright, the prolific striker made the step up from Palace to the Gunners just prior to entering his peak years at the age of 28 – similar to Toney – joining for a then-club record fee of £2.5m.

Such a deal was a huge success for Arsenal as he went on to bag 185 goals in just 288 appearances in all competitions over the next seven years, cementing his status as an undisputed Gunners legend.

Much like Wright – who was a relatively late starter in professional football – Toney has not had a smooth ride to the top amid various stints in the EFL after leaving St James' Park, yet now could be his chance to really blossom at a truly elite club.

As far as Postecoglou is concerned, the hope will be that the Northampton native, unlike Wright, goes on to perform heroics in Lilywhite, rather than the colours of their rivals.

Everton bowed out of the EFL Cup on Tuesday in agonising fashion, losing on penalties to Fulham after a 1-1 draw in normal time. While Sean Dyche and his players will be disappointed, climbing as far from the bottom three in the Premier League as possible is more important than winning any cup contests this season.

The Toffees are on an excellent run of form in the top flight, having picked up four consecutive wins, two of which came against Newcastle United and Chelsea.

Nevertheless, Dyche should now turn his attention towards the January transfer window as a means to sign reinforcements for his squad.

Everton transfer news – Kalvin Phillips

It was reported during the summer that the Merseyside club were interested in signing Manchester City’s wantaway star Kalvin Phillips. However, Football Insider recently revealed the reason why a transfer never came to fruition as the European champions were seeking a £7.5m loan fee from Everton while also expecting the club to pay his wages in full.

Phillips is currently on £165k-per-week which would have made him the highest-paid player at Goodison Park had the two sides agreed a deal as Abdoulaye Doucoure is the club’s top earner and is on £130k-per-week.

Nevertheless, a move could still be on the cards for the England international. In a press conference back in October, Man City boss Pep Guardiola admitted that the door is being left open for Phillips to walk away once a deal is agreed with another club.

“If he decides to do it [leave], then do it. If the agreement is not done, then he stays.”

Everton could re-enter the race to sign the midfielder but could be forced to spend a hefty sum of money as City have reportedly slapped a £50m price tag on Phillips ahead of the January window, hoping to make an £8m profit on the player they signed for £42m in 2022.

How Kalvin Phillips compares to Idrissa Gueye

Phillips was superb during his days at Elland Road with Leeds under the legendary coach Marcelo Bielsa. Former Everton winger Yannick Bolasie even described the midfielder as a “monster” for some of his displays while ex-England boss Fabio Capello admitted Phillips was the “best modern midfielder” he has seen.

The 28-year-old has seen just 319 minutes of action this term for the Blues, spread across ten different games in all competitions. It’s hard to believe the same player who was earning such huge praise from a former Champions League-winning manager is now nothing but a mere footnote in his club’s success on the pitch.

The Englishman could reignite his career by moving to Goodison Park, particularly since Everton’s midfield is likely to see a rejigging over the next six to 12 months. It is being reported this week that Premier League giants Manchester United will look to sign Everton’s £48m midfielder Amadou Onana, while La Liga champions Barcelona are also said to be in the running.

Everton could use the money they recoup from selling the Belgian to bring Phillips to Merseyside. Additionally, Idrissa Gueye is now in his mid-30s and will need to be replaced soon, as well as the fact that he will likely play at the AFCON in the new year.

Despite Phillips’ lack of game-time this season, he has still been outperforming Gueye in a number of key metrics.

Indeed, not only is the City outcast a more progressive midfielder when it comes to passing and carrying the ball, but he's also a better aerial presence and more adept in the final third of the field.

Signing Phillips is a risk given he will certainly be rusty due to the lack of minutes. However, if Dyche can get him to showcase the talent from his days with Leeds, the club will be making a very astute acquisition.

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has 'agreed' to join Newcastle United this summer, according to reports.

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• Ramsdale out of favour at Arsenal
• Expected to move on in search of regular football
• Has reportedly 'agreed' to join Newcastle

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ramsdale, 26, is reportedly set to swap north London for the North East this summer, as he makes the switch from Arsenal to Newcastle in the coming months.

  A deal is said to be "agreed" between the two Premier League clubs ahead of the summer transfer window, which will see Ramsdale join his England teammate Nick Pope at the Magpies.

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  WHAT WAS SAID

  Sky Sports' James Green offered an update on Ramsdale's future at the Emirates Stadium. He said: "I understand and I found out directly from the player’s agent that one of our players is off to Newcastle and a deal has been agreed," he said while speaking onHighbury Squad.

  "It’s my understanding that Aaron Ramsdale has agreed to join Newcastle in the summer.

  "That’s come direct through speaking to somebody I’m very close with who is close with his agent and he says it’s done. The deal is happening."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ramsdale joined Arsenal in 2021 and was widely regarded as the first-choice goalkeeper shortly after joining. During his first two seasons at the club, the former Sheffield United and Bournemouth shot-stopper started 72 of the 76 games in the Premier League for the Gunners.

  However, after the arrival of David Raya from Brentford on loan, Ramsdale has started just six games in the top flight of English football this season.

  Raya is also expected to join on a permanent deal before the 2024/25 season, which will open the door for Ramsdale to leave.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RAMSDALE?

  The player will likely watch along from the sidelines during Arsenal's final game of the season against Everton on Sunday.

  The Gunners currently sit in second place within the table, two points behind Manchester City. If Arsenal beat Everton and Pep Guardiola's side slip up against West Ham United, they could clinch the Premier League trophy this weekend.

Manchester United are in the market for high-profile additions in January and could now look to strengthen their forward line under Erik ten Hag, according to a report.

Manchester United prepare for January…

All things considered, the last few days haven't been too bad for Manchester United after Sir Jim Ratcliffe agreed to buy his 25% stake in the club, with football operations now set to come under the banner of INEOS, alongside £236 million becoming available to redevelop Old Trafford.

On the pitch, the Red Devils picked up a much-needed 3-2 victory over Aston Villa to move up to sixth in the Premier League table following a dramatic late strike from Denmark international Rasmus Hojlund; however, Ten Hag will be keen to ensure his side inherit adequate cover in the January window to equip them for the second half of the campaign.

Plenty of rumours are starting to do the rounds regarding potential targets at Old Trafford and the acquisition of a striker has been floated as a major area of priority.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer insider Dean Jones has claimed that Galatasaray striker Mauro Icardi moving to Manchester United would be "box office" amid recent links connecting the player and club, as he stated to the outlet: "I’ll be honest, while the signing would be box office I can’t see someone like Icardi arriving as we head towards January but across the course of next month a lot can change."

Now, a separate report has emerged claiming that the Red Devils have an alternative target in mind as Ten Hag looks to give support to Hojlund.

Manchester United want Viktor Gyokeres

According to reports in Portugal cited via Sport Witness, Manchester United are keen on Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres and could look to trigger his €100 million (£86.6 million) release clause in the January transfer window, which would leave Sporting powerless.

Labelled "brilliant" by former boss Mark Robins, the 25-year-old has been in some excellent form this term, registering 17 goals and eight assists in 20 appearances for his new club (Gyokeres statistics – Transfermarkt).

The outlet claim that the Sweden international has promised to see out the season at the Portuguese giants, something which will mean that the Red Devils will need to put a good argument across as to why he should swap the sunnier climbs of Lisbon for Old Trafford; nonetheless, hype continues to build over his next destination.

Scandinavian have a long, proud history at Manchester United and Ten Hag could now once again turn to an individual from the region to help add some extra firepower to his forward line in January.

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has been ruled out of the Copa America, the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed.

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• Ederson suffered fractured eye socket
• Has been ruled out of Copa America
• Veteran keeper Rafael replaces him

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ederson suffered a fractured eye socket when he collided with defender Cristian Romero during City's recent Premier League match against Tottenham. The injury saw the shot-stopper miss his team's title-clinching final league game of the season and he will also be out of next week's FA Cup final.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 30-year-old will now also miss the Copa America in the United States, which begins on June 20. Brazil coach Dorival Junior has now replaced Ederson in his final squad for the tournament, having called up 34-year-old Sao Paulo goalkeeper Rafael, who has never represented the Selecao at senior level.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson will most likely be trusted to start in goal for Brazil throughout the Copa America. The Selecao are looking to win the Copa America title for the 10th time in their history and are drawn in Group D alongside Colombia, Paraguay and Costa Rica.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR EDERSON?

  City star Ederson will watch on as his team take on Manchester United in the FA Cup final next weekend and will continue his recovery as his compatriots head to the United States to compete in the Copa America.

It was only around 18 months ago that West Ham shelled out around £30m to sign centre-back Nayef Aguerd from French club Rennes, but already his future at the London Stadium is in serious doubt.

Aguerd enjoyed a successful first season with the Hammers, making the Europa Conference League team of the season after they tasted continental glory for the first time in their history, and he's been heavily involved this year with 16 starts from his side's first 20 Premier League games.

However, there's a feeling behind the scenes that Aguerd "hasn't kicked on in his second season", and as such West Ham are open to moving him on this year if the right offer arrives. There's already been interest from Italy and Saudi Arabia, but David Moyes will want a replacement lined up before he sanctions a sale, and his ideal candidate may have emerged.

Moyes wants Kilman to bolster defence

According to The Guardian, West Ham "will target" Wolves centre-back Max Kilman with the proceeds from Aguerd's potential sale. The Irons don't have a "huge budget" for this window, which means that departures will determine incomings, but Moyes remains hopeful of strengthening his back four.

West Ham recognise that they face a challenge in prising Kilman away from Wolves, with Gary O'Neil's side said to demand at least £40m in the hope of avoiding what could be a destabilising mid-season exit.

Moyes does have alternative targets in mind, like Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah, Nottingham Forest's Joe Worrall and Peterborough's Ronnie Edwards, but there's a feeling that Kilman has the edge because he's proven in the Premier League.

Kilman offers comprehensive package for Moyes

Kilman has shown himself to be a dominant centre-half at the heart of the Wolves backline this season, ranking inside the Premier League's top 10 for percentage of dribblers tackled (77.8) and winning the ninth-most aerial duels (52). He's very difficult to beat either on the ground or in the air, and he relishes the ugly side of defending too, placing 10th for blocks (32) and third for clearances (94). That's not to say he's limited on the ball either – Kilman finished last season with the eighth-highest progressive carrying distance (4,615 yards), so he can serve as a playmaking instigator.

The table below shows how he compares with Aguerd this season. The duo are closely matched in many areas, but Kilman completes a higher volume of passes and does so with a greater accuracy, which may be part of what Moyes is trying to accomplish.

Journalist Josh Bunting has praised his "technique" and comfort in possession, adding that he's become a "proper leader" after taking the Wolves armband in the summer. Meanwhile, commentator Jacqui Oatley has argued that he's one of the most "underrated" players in the league and described him as "pure class".

Kilman only signed a new five-year deal at Molineux last year, so it's ambitious one for West Ham to pursue, but he certainly looks like he could have the desired impact in their defence.

Alexia Putellas has revealed the age she plans to retire, while refusing to rule out a future transfer away from Barcelona.

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• Putellas signed new deal until 2026
• Does not rule out playing for a different club
• Wants to continue playing into late thirties

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Putellas recently committed her future to the Catalan giants until June 30, 2026, with the option of a further year. The contract extension put to rest the swirling speculation regarding her future, with many wondering whether the two-time Ballon d'Or winner would seek a new challenge as her earlier contract was set to expire this summer.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Putellas, who has etched her name into the annals of football history with her record-breaking performances, has been a linchpin for Barcelona. As the club's record appearance maker and all-time top scorer, her contributions have been nothing short of monumental. And despite achieving almost every possible accolade in football, Putellas remains driven by her passion for the game and has revealed that she plans to keep playing until her late thirties.

• WHAT PUTELLAS SAID

  "I see myself playing for quite a few years, because I love my job very much. This passion gives me energy every day," she revealed to Barca's official media channel.

  "Now I'm 30, which I consider to be still a mature age – between young and old – to be a footballer. If I have to tell you a number, I don't know, I maybe see myself playing up to 37 or 38."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  While Putellas is firmly focused on her current stint with Barcelona, she remains pragmatic about the uncertainties of football. She suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury just before the UEFA Women's Euro in July 2022, which significantly impacted her playing time. Since then, she has faced an uphill battle to reclaim her starting spot in both the Barcelona team and Spain's national set-up – which has forced her to remain open about her future.

  "Obviously we don't know what will happen, because you never know in the world of football, but I feel I have a lot of energy to keep carrying my mind and my body to the limit every day and as long as it goes on like this, I'm not going to set a date to end it," she said when quizzed on the possibility of leaving Barca in the future.

  "I hope I will be a long time here, at Barça, to do the renewals. As soon as I don't feel like that, well I know what it means to wear that shirt, I will raise my hand take a step to the side. As long as I continue to have that energy to take me to the limit physically obviously, but mentally to keep wanting to win every game, all the titles and all the exercises in training, because in the end of the day this is how our day to day is, I will continue to serve the team and the club."

There have been very few positives for Erik ten Hag to focus on this season.

The campaign can be summed up by the fact that Manchester United are currently seventh in the Premier League after 21 dreary games.

Therefore, the boss will be desperate to strengthen his squad after a campaign that has been rather arduous to say the least.

Man Utd’s midfielder search

Man United have been on the lookout for a midfielder recently, and according to The Mirror, they’re interested in signing Joao Neves.

The Benfica star has a £103m release clause in his contract at Benfica, with United set to begin talks with the club soon.

However, due to the huge fee attached, a move is much more likely to occur in the summer than this month.

How Neves could benefit Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo has burst onto the scene this season, excelling in a poor United midfield. Despite playing just ten matches overall in 2023/24, his quality has even led to Athletic reporter Adam Crafton saying he could make the England squad for this year’s European Championship.

Neves has had a similar path to first-team football as Mainoo, as this season he has become a key player for Benfica. The Portuguese star is only 19 years old himself, but he has played every Liga Portugal match this season.

Although the 18-year-old has been a game-changer for the Red Devils, the entire function of the midfield relies on him, therefore, the potential signing of Neves could allow Mainoo to flourish even further.

Neves' supreme passing statistics (seen below) outline him as the very definition of a controller who takes on heaps of responsibility on the ball. The teenager sets the tempo for his side, but his vision allows him to progress the play with ease, which makes him like Luka Modric, as per Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig.

Mainoo is also similar to this, as shown by his 86 touches and 90% pass completion against Wigan in the FA Cup. A midfield two of Neves and the United number 37 would retain the ball extremely well while also providing progression and bravery, therefore taking the pressure off the Englishman to do all of the above himself.

The Benfica youth star is press-resistant and has the ability to evade opponents due to his small stature, however, he is also a tenacious tackler who loves to get stuck in. The very fact he ranks within the top 1% of midfield players in Portugal for tackles in the final third says it all. He’s an extremely proactive player who leads the press, and his out-of-possession security would enable Mainoo to showcase his attacking creativity, which he has yet to fully show.

It's clear just how the potential signing of Neves could unlock Mainoo’s full potential. This may well be an extremely exciting young duo stepping foot at Old Trafford soon.

Don't listen to the haters – the 53-year-old is the best coach the Three Lions have had for 50 years and has unified a fractious nation

Softly spoken, educated, polite and measured are all words you could use to describe Gareth Southgate. Qualities anyone would want to be associated with. But somehow, the England manager tends to provoke derision whenever his name is brought up.

Take the vociferous reaction when it was reported he was being considered as the next Manchester United manager. Or the response of certain pundits and journalists when England exited the last World Cup to France.

In some quarters, the mention of Southgate stirs equal amounts of anger as Donald Trump. The reaction is quite different among people who have worked alongside him or played for him, however.

To those who know Southgate personally, he is a unifier. In a country as fractured as England, he is exactly the leader its football team needs. So whatever happens at Euro 2024, he should be remembered as the manager who gave the country hope again.

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  Decade of failure

  The easiest response to the Southgate haters is to remind them of the team's fortunes in the decade before he took over, in highly unusual circumstances, in the autumn of 2016.

  In 2006, the so-called 'Golden Generation', coached by Sven-Goran Eriksson, had fallen to Portugal on penalties in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. It was seen as a huge failure, and yet soon would be seen as quite the achievement, as little more than a year later, under Steve McLaren, England failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

  In the 2010 World Cup, then coached by Champions League winner Fabio Capello, they finished second in a group newspaper had dubbed as "EASY" and were thrashed 4-1 by Germany in the last 16. At Euro 2012, under Roy Hodgson, they limped out on penalties to Italy in the quarter-finals, and at the next World Cup finished bottom of their group.

  Fast-forward to Euro 2016, and still managed by Hodgson despite his previous failures, they were stunned by tiny Iceland and knocked out at the last 16.

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  Out-performing fashionable managers

  By the time Southgate took charge after Sam Allardyce was forced to resign over a case of entrapment by undercover journalists, England had not won a knockout match at a tournament for 10 years. Southgate has since won six out of nine. He is the first manager since World Cup-winner Sir Alf Ramsey in 1968 to take the team to consecutive tournament semi-finals, and the first since Ramsay to lead them to a final.

  The fact Southgate has been unable to ultimately lead England to glory and end 58 years of hurt is a dark mark against him according to some ultra-demanding fans. But compared to his predecessors, including some of the highest regarded coaches in the game at the time such as Eriksson and Capello, his record makes for very impressive reading.

  "His legacy with England is set by getting to the final and the World Cup semi-finals," said Gary Neville. "Yeah, getting over the line will be thrown back at him by many, but not by me, who went to eight tournaments and got to one semi-final.

  "He does get unfair criticism, of course he does. He's the best performing England manager we've had apart from Alf Ramsey. Stop it there. For all the fashionable managers we've had, Gareth Southgate has outperformed them all by a mile."

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  Unifier in an era of division

  Southgate has not just improved results, though. He has done something many of his predecessors could not do: he has changed the image of the national team. Everyone in England, whatever their background, gets behind his team, which was not always the case.

  That is no mean feat, especially considering that Southgate's tenure has coincided with an extremely politically-fractured era. While he has been in charge, the nation has been through the divisive process of Brexit and cycled through five Prime Ministers, with a sixth potentially on the way before the Euros are over.

  The country has also been through the trauma of the coronavirus pandemic, which it handled terribly. In an era of generally woeful political leadership, Southgate has been a beacon of hope.

  His vision was set out in the letter he wrote to the country ahead of the last European Championship and which became the basis for the National Theatre play . On the eve of the next European Championship, it is worth reading again.

  "Dear England, It has been an extremely difficult year," begins the letter. "Everyone in this country has been directly affected by isolation and loss. But we have also seen countless examples of heroism and sacrifice.

  "It’s given us all a new understanding of the fragility of life and what really matters. When you think of the grand scheme of things, perhaps football doesn’t seem so important. And what I want to speak about today is much bigger than football."

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  Rallying behind his players

  Southgate's letter to the country outlined a unifying vision of Englishness. "Regardless of your upbringing and politics, what is clear is that we are an incredible nation – relative to our size and population – that has contributed so much to the arts, science and sport," he wrote. "We do have a special identity and that remains a powerful motivator."

  It also addressed the social media abuse his players received at the time, often of a racist nature. His words would unfortunately ring true at the end of the tournament, when Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford all received sickening comments after not scoring their penalties in the final. His words should make anyone who finds such abuse repulsive very proud.

  He wrote: "Why would you tag someone in on a conversation that is abusive? Why would you choose to insult somebody for something as ridiculous as the colour of their skin? Why? Unfortunately for those people that engage in that kind of behaviour, I have some bad news. You’re on the losing side."

  Southgate's backing of his players when they took the knee during the last Euros in opposition to racial inequality alienated a section of England fans forever. It also put him at odds with some members of the government, often the same people who claim to support the team while railing against immigration and multi-culturalism.

  These people would rather England was a different country to the one that it is and would love to move the clocks back by several decades. But Southgate's England is a true reflection of the country in 2024 – and they are a far better football team for it.

Now in the Premier League relegation zone following Luton Town's 4-0 thumping of Brighton & Hove Albion and another Financial Fair Play punishment potentially looming, Everton haven't exactly had the most enjoyable month. But with just two days left in the January transfer window, they could yet turn things around by welcoming crucial reinforcements.

First, however, they could be bidding farewell to out-of-favour defender Ben Godfrey, who has been linked with a move to Leeds United before the end of the window. If the defender does leave, the door could then reportedly swing open for an instant replacement in a busy end to the window.

Ben Godfrey could seal exit

Given his place in the pecking order at Goodison Park, Godfrey has been one who could leave Everton for some time now. And it could be Leeds who benefit. According to the latest reports, Leeds saw their loan bid for Godfrey rejected but are still pushing to get a deal over the line. The Toffees, of course, paid a reported £25m to sign the defender from Norwich City in 2020 in what was a hefty deal considering what's happened since, and will be hoping to recoup at least a chunk of that amount if they sell up.

Everton "considering" deadline busting bid for "exceptional" new midfielder

Could he be the replacement if Amadou Onana leaves?

By
Henry Jackson

Jan 30, 2024

Godfrey's exit would also make room for a replacement. According to TeamTalk, Everton are eyeing a move for Harry Souttar, who has similarly found himself out-of-favour at Leicester City, who could be open to sanctioning a sale for the Australian to free up some space for reinforcements of their own before the window slams shut.

With a lot of moving parts involved, it remains to be seen whether those at Goodison Park will welcome Souttar before the end of the current window. It could all rely on Godfrey's future and whether Leeds can present a suitable enough offer in the next day or so.

"Outstanding" Souttar would be an upgrade on Godfrey

Standing at 6 foot 5, Souttar's aerial presence alone could provide Everton with a major boost if they decided to sign the former Stoke City defender. Souttar's stats when in the Premier League compared to Godfrey's last season highlight that he'd also be an instant upgrade on the current Toffees centre-back.

Former Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers is among those to have praised Souttar in the past, saying via Football Scotland after the defender's debut last season: “Big Harry’s a presence, but he can also play football – anybody who saw him at the World Cup, he was outstanding there. So for him to come in, having only just joined the club, and into a real tough away game, up against Watkins, who’s a really good player, I thought he did really well.”

As time ticks by in the transfer window, Everton could yet benefit from a potential Godfrey exit and secure an upgrade who could quickly hand Sean Dyche a selection headache in the remainder of the season.