Sam Allardyce offers update on Everton’s transfer business

Sam Allardyce has offered an update on a number of transfer rumours that have been swirling around the club since the transfer window opened earlier this week.

The headline news is confirmation that the club are closing in on a deal for Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun, while Allardyce also conceded that Ross Barkley is likely to leave the club sooner rather than later.

During a busy press conference, Allardyce was also quizzed on a number of other transfer rumours.

The first was whether he was targeting another striker on top of the imminent acquisition of Tosun.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has carried much of the attacking burden this season with Sandro Ramirez failing to settle and Oumar Niasse struggling for consistency. However, Allardyce was quick to play down an speculation of any imminent arrivals.

“If you could tell me where I can get one! We’ve searched high and low, the club, before I arrived.

“This one was one we focused on.”

When it came to outgoings, Allardyce was asked about individual players, with Sandro Ramirez high on the reporters’ agenda. The 22-year-old has been linked with a move back to Spain after struggling to make an impact at Goodison Park, but Allardyce insists no deal is imminent.

The Toffees boss also confirmed he doesn’t intend to loan any first-team players out this winter, preferring instead to consider permanent deals only.

“There have been no bids for Sandro at this moment in time.

“There will be no loans as far as my recommendation would be but I don’t make the final decision.

“If anybody is going to leave it would have to be the right fee so we could use that money elsewhere to strengthen the squad.”

Evertonian Ross Barkley appears to be on the way out of the club too, and the manager has just about accepted it’ll happen.

“I think that we are resigned and the club was resigned before I got here that we’re going to lose Ross and I can’t see that changing.

”I expect there would be some interest some time in this window if there’s going to be any interest from one of the big boys.”

Kevin Mirallas’ Everton career also looks to be coming to an end, with the supporters and a succession of managers tired at his inconsistent displays and questionable attitude.

Allardyce again wouldn’t commit, though, saying:

“It depends on many factors. It depends on whether Kevin wants to go or does he fancy the club that comes in for him and do we agree with that fee that is being offered.

“That transfer may well occur, as with many players in January. You never say never with what goes on in the January window.

“It is the hardest window to work in, but we are trying to cure one of the areas where we feel we have a problem.”

Finally, Big Sam revealed he was contacted by Yannick Bolasie’s agent regarding rumours the winger was about to go out on loan this month in order to regain his match fitness.

The manager quickly dismissed those reports however:

“I had a weird message yesterday that we’re allowing Yannick Bolasie to go out on loan! That is January for you!

”It’s ludicrous to think we’re going to allow him to leave on loan.”