Everton may have boosted Adam Wharton transfer hopes as David Ornstein shares £18.5m January update.

 

The Toffees’ financial condition is extremely dire as they await the outcome of their acquisition from 777 Partners. Until that matter is resolved, it appears unlikely that many changes will be made to the playing roster.

But that hasn’t stopped Sean Dyche’s team from being connected to a number of players this month. Adam Wharton, a midfielder for Blackburn Rovers, is one such player who appears ready to make the jump to the Premier League this month.

As they explore a possible transfer, the Toffees, who are well-known fans of the Rovers young player, are said to have dispatched scouts to observe him in action throughout the Championship season at Ewood Park [Daily Mail, 24 January].

But since Crystal Palace had moved first to sign the 19-year-old, it had appeared as though Everton had lost the race for his signature. But now there’s another development in this transfer story that could have made the Toffees a winner.

Blackburn has turned down Palace’s £18.5 million offer for the teenager because they want more for him and would prefer that he spend the rest of the season on loan at Ewood Park, according to David Ornstein (January 25).

Though it’s still unknown if Crystal Palace would pursue Wharton, this most recent development may have given Everton optimism to add a player during the January transfer window.

Although the Toffees are unlikely to have the resources to offer more than £20 million this month, the agreement’s structure, which calls for lending the 19-year-old back to Blackburn, may give them some leeway over when the transfer price is paid.

The Toffees may be able to meet that asking price and attract Wharton to Goodison Park if 777’s takeover is successful and Everton avoids relegation.

Still, the groundwork for such an agreement might be established in the January window.

In any case, it appears like Everton is still in the running to sign one of the hot talents in the Championship, and the race to get him looks to be ongoing.

In other Everton news, this month’s Goodison Park decision about Ben Godfrey’s future has been made.