Sean Dyche has hinted Everton are prepared to explore the free agent market and a deal for Isco after ending the January transfer window without a single new signing. The new Toffees boss had to front up unavoidable questions regarding Everton’s worrying lack of activity in the market in his first Finch Farm press conference as they battled to beat the Premier League drop.
The Merseyside club have already held initial talks with former Swansea and West Ham forward Andre Ayew over a potential transfer but the 33-year-old Ghana international, who recently left Qatari club Al Sadd, is now in advanced negotiations with Nottingham Forest.
When asked whether Everton could turn to fellow free agent Isco, whose deadline day move to Union Berlin collapsed over wages in the final stages of completion, Dyche hinted the door was still open for potential new arrivals.
He said when quizzed on interest in Isco: “There’s a list of players we’ll be looking through and seeing if they fit what we’re trying to do, do they fit what we need to achieve going forward and can they also do it pretty quickly. You can sign players for the future but that’s different.
“We need players that can affect things now so the first port of call is in-house.
“What have we got in-house and can we make sure they’re ready for the task in front of us.”
Prior to being questioned on ex-Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco, Dyche did also play down the prospect of dipping into the free agent market – savagely claiming some players are without a club for a reason.
The former Burnley boss, who was officially unveiled on Monday, said: “Yet again, we’re being totally disrespectful to football and the system that it is.
“Sometimes, some of these players are there for a reason because something has gone on at another club.
“You do also get the odd bit of gold like I said. We’re looking at the market and the players out there but yet again, they’ve got to impact what we do.
“You’ve got to bring in players that affect what you do – otherwise there is no point.”
Dyche also talked passionately about Everton’s recruitment drive in the final days of the window when he revealed he was leaving Finch Farm late at night every evening. (Express)
