Ancelotti makes midfielder hint after “positive” Everton transfer meeting

Carlo Ancelotti says he has the backing of the club’s hierarchy as he looks to strengthen the squad during the January transfer window.

Last weekend’s defeat at Liverpool brutally exposed the shortcomings within the Toffees squad, though the calm and experienced Ancelotti is not going to be panicked into signing the wrong player.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash with Brighton, the Italian revealed he had held a meeting with Marcel Brands and Farhad Moshiri to discuss their plans for this month.

He was understandably coy when it came to naming individual targets, though he did suggest the names mentioned in recent gossip columns were wide of the mark.

“We spoke, after January 5th, and had a positive meeting. If there’s the possibility to improve our squad we are going to do (that).

“I have the total support of the owner, the board and the director of football. If you want to know the name I don’t want to mention names but all the names in the paper are wrong.

“There are no areas. I have great goalkeeper, the goalkeeper of the national team. We are not looking for a goalkeeper.”

When pressed further he did suggest midfield was an area that needed attention.

Journalist: “central midfield?”

Ancelotti: “Can be. A player that can improve the quality of the squad.”

One outgoing that has already been confirmed was the loan of Cenk Tosun to Crystal Palace for the rest of the season.

The Turkey international hasn’t featured under Ancelotti and he feels it was the best move for all concerned.

“Tosun went to Crystal Palace on loan. I spoke with him and he wanted to find a club that can give him the opportunity to play.

“It’s a good solution for him and I wish him the best. That’s it.”

Another rumoured outgoing is Lewis Gibson, who is set to join Championship side Ipswich on loan for the rest of the season, according to the East Anglian Daily Times.

The 19-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season but it is believed he will sign fresh terms before heading out on loan.

Ancelotti also rubbished suggestions that Alisher Usmanov had brokered the deal that took him to Goodison Park.

The billionaire, who is close friends with Farhad Moshiri, reiterated last week that he was willing to invest in the Toffees. Though it appears the timing of a meeting with Ancelotti last month was purely coincidental.

When asked whether Usmanov had a role in his move to Everton, Ancelotti said:

“No, absolutely not. I spoke to Mr Farhad, Mr Bill and Mr Marcel. I met with Mr Usmanov once but it was social.”