Rafa Benitez has confirmed that Everton are working to finalise “two or three” deals before the transfer deadline. The Blues are hoping to add Porto winger Luis Diaz to the squad with James Rodriguez heading back to the Portuguese club as a makeweight in the deal. Everton are prepared to sanction a season-long loan for Kean to return to the Italian giants but are pushing for the deal to include an obligation to buy next summer. Juve have, earlier today, agreed a deal to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United and need to bolster their attacking options.
Rafa Benitez said: “Obviously it depends on players moving out and we have an idea that maybe there will be a chance to change a couple of players. It would be a surprise to get more, or less, but we are working on two or three names and see what we can do.”
On Friday morning, ahead of Everton’s training session later that day, Benitez was asked if he was prepared to risk including Rodriguez in the matchday squad for the game with Brighton.
Rafa Benitez said: “We will see how he trains and it depends on how many players we have available. Then we have to make a decision. After Covid some players need more time. Some of them are ready but we will see how he is in the training session and after we will make a decision.”
Benitez, who is keen on Sheffield United’s Daniel Jebbison, would also like to sign a right-back and a midfielder before Tuesday’s deadline but has suggested he may not be able to land all of his remaining targets.
