It's safe to say the mid-season Premier League break came at the perfect time for Everton.
The Blues tasted victory just once in their last eight fixtures in all competitions prior to visiting Australia to participate in the Sydney Super Cup. Supporters will be hoping for an improvement by the time domestic action resumes next month as the team bid to climb the table during the second half of the season.
Frank Lampard is looking to add quality to his group during the January transfer window in a bid to bring about a change in fortunes and has identified attacking options as a priority, the ECHO has been told. With that in mind, here are five potential players the Toffees could target.
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Viktor Gyokeres - Coventry City
The 24-year-old has been linked with the Blues and other Premier League clubs on the back of his 18-goal Championship season last term, which has been followed up in impressive fashion so far this term. Gyokeres has scored nine times in 19 appearances in 2022/23, helping his club to continue climbing the division at a rapid date.
Out of contract in 2024, his current employers are attempting to secure the long-term future of their prized asset through the offer of an improved deal. According to Football League World, Crystal Palace, Everton, Southampton and West Ham are all 'considering' a move but will have to contend with the Sky Blues' plans to avoid an depature.
Ben Brereton Diaz - Blackburn Rovers
A player who continued to be linked with a move to Goodison Park during the summer, Ben Brereton Diaz remains a man in demand having proven his prolific nature at Championship level. The 23-year-old bagged 22 goals in the second tier last campaign and has maintained his scoring streak this term by already reaching double figures for his current employers.
The Chile international is out of contract next summer and has been linked with the likes of Bournemouth, Leeds United and Sevilla as clubs begin to circle for a bargain deal. A report from last month claimed Blackburn will look to 'step up' talks with the forward over extending his stay at Ewood Park as they look to avoid losing their star man on a free transfer.
Mohammed Kudus - Ajax
The Ajax attacker revealed in recent interview he was 'really close' to joining Everton earlier this year and 'spoke to Lampard' regarding his project at Goodison Park. Capable of operating in midfield and attack, this would have represented an effective piece of business for the Blues due to his versatility.
Since failing to get a deal over the line, the 22-year-old has gone from strength to strength by scoring ten times this season and registering two assists after 21 matches played.
Kudus is also shining on the international stage at the World Cup and was twice on target during this afternoon's 3-2 win for Ghana against South Korea. Everton may well reignite their interest in January, though can expect to experience increased competition on this occasion.
Jonathan David - Lille
After emerging as a prospect at Belgian side Genk, David earned a move to Ligue 1 side Lille in 2020 and hasn't looked back since. He found the back of the net 13 times during his maiden campaign, followed up by a further 19 strikes last term. Not lacking in confidence within the final third, the 22-year-old has a goals per game ratio of 0.6 in 2022/23 at club level.
What's clear is that the Canadian is open to the Premier League move, as he made clear during an interview with Sky Sports in October, offering Everton a possible boost should they decide to pursue the striker.
“The next step is always growing, having more ambition maybe a bigger club I think. Everyone wants to play for a massive club in their life. So if I had the chance to do it I would go for it, for sure," he said of a potential switch to England.
Armando Broja - Chelsea
Backed to join the Blues over a number of a weeks, Armando Broja ended any speculation over his future by agreeing a new long-term deal with the Londoners. As Chelsea continued to push to sign Anthony Gordon, it was suggested the Albanian striker could have been used a makeweight in order to lure Everton's No.10 to Stamford Bridge.
Broja has started only three matches across all competitions in 2022/23 and appears unlikely to play a starring role anytime soon, provided preferred options remain fully fit. The 21-year-old was handed his Chelsea first-team debut by Lampard and could look to reunite with his former boss on Merseyside, providing Everton some much-needed attacking firepower in the process.
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