Everton
No Baines? No problem – Everton signing this 26-year-old star would be quite a replacement
Why Everton should plot a January swoop for Joe Bryan
Everton are quite close to the relegation zone, following a nightmarish start to their campaign. They have already shipped as many as 18 goals, scoring only 13 in 12 league fixtures so far.
The Toffees’ defence has been mightily affected due to the departures of Phil Jagielka and Kurt Zouma in the summer.
With the centre-back pairing of Michael Keane and Yerry Mina struggling to provide any kind of solidity to the backline, Marco Silva must dip into the transfer market for a new defender.
While signing a central defender has to be at the top of Everton’s January priority list, Silva cannot overlook signing a new left-back.
Lucas Digne enjoyed a fantastic debut season in the Premier League the last term. Indeed, the Frenchman’s performances haven’t wavered during Everton’s dip and the left-back continues to be a regular in Silva’s starting XI.
He scored four goals and added five assists in all competitions last season and has already started this campaign with a goal and three assists.
However, Digne needs competition at left-back. Leighton Baines, 34, signed a 12-month contract extension at Goodison Park over the summer but he hasn’t played in the league this season.
The former England international is past his prime that should prompt the Toffees to move on from him at the end of the season.
Back in January 2018, Daily Mirror had claimed that Everton were interested in signing Joe Bryan, who was then plying his trade for Bristol City. However, a deal didn’t materialize and he joined Fulham last summer.
Joe Bryan, 26, didn’t have a great debut season at Craven Cottage as Fulham were relegated from the Premier League at the first time of asking. Currently, in the Championship, he is doing well under the management of Scott Parker.
With Baines coming to the end of his career, the January transfer window would be the right time for Everton to reignite their interest in Bryan.
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Bryan would solve a grave issue in a key area of the pitch for Silva. The 26-year-old, who can also operate in an advanced position down the left, has all the tools to provide cover and compete with Digne.
The Bristol-born man is approaching the peak years of his career and has the quality to make an instant impact at Goodison Park.
Verdict
With that in mind, Everton should go all out in their pursuit of Bryan in January in a bid to tighten their screws at the back.
Everton
Everton Striker Kelly Gago Hands in Transfer Request With Hopes of Returning to France Just Months After Signing New Deal
Everton forward Kelly Gago has handed in a transfer request as the 27 year old looks to return home to France during the January window.
The move comes as a shock given Gago signed a new contract with the Toffees at the end of 2025, just months after joining from Nantes in January last year.
Gago scored four goals in nine games last season and asserted herself as a solid option up front for Everton. However, despite a positive first campaign on Merseyside, the club signed exciting forward Ornella Vignola in the summer who has started all 12 WSL games this season.
Vignola Emergence Forces Gago Out
The talented Spaniard has been favoured over Gago up front and has become a revelation for her new team this season. Vignola has proven undroppable for Toffees boss Brian Sorensen, leaving the France international clearly unsettled in England and making her departure in January all but guaranteed.
Gago has already been linked with PSG in the January window. With the striker looking to return home to France, Paris could be an ideal destination given their need for attacking reinforcements and her familiarity with French football from her time at Nantes.
Everton May Not Replace Departing Forward
Should Everton let their forward go, they may not sign a backup in the current window. The Toffees also have Katja Snoeijs who can play up front and they wouldn’t be left too short of attackers once Gago departs.
Everton may choose to spend their money for Gago in a different department as they boast the second worst defensive record in the WSL. They sit 10th in the table, four points above bottom placed Liverpool with only one team facing relegation this season.
Also read: PSG or Manchester United: Which team is in pole position to sign Everton women star Kelly Gago?
Everton Women host Manchester City on Sunday as the WSL leaders return from the winter break with a six point advantage at the top of the table. Brian Sorensen’s side will be without several key players including Rion Ishikawa due to sickness and Hikaru Kitagawa who is being assessed after feeling her hamstring during training.
Elise Stenevik, Megan Finnigan and Lucy Hope remain unavailable while Katie Robinson has returned to Aston Villa after her loan spell ended, having made 12 appearances for the Toffees. Everton sit 10th in the table, five points above the relegation zone.
Kick-off: 12:00 GMT, Sunday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Joie Stadium, Manchester
TV: TBC
Sorensen Demands Defensive Discipline
The Everton boss knows his side face an uphill task against the league’s highest scorers. “They have a very good team and we have to put a performance in. We have the confidence to know that we can do it if we get it right. But, it is going to be extremely hard. We have to be right in the defensive department. We know how good they are. We need to focus on ourselves and make sure we get our things right.”
Manchester City have been relentless since their opening day defeat to Chelsea in September, establishing a commanding lead at the top. Khadija Shaw tops the scoring charts with support from Vivianne Miedema and Aoba Fujino providing goals throughout the season.
Recent Meetings Favor City
The clubs have already met twice this season with Andrée Jeglertz’s team winning both encounters. City won 3-1 in the League Cup at Joie Stadium in September before edging a competitive 2-1 victory at Goodison Park in November, despite Kelly Gago’s equalizer.
Predicted Lineups:
Everton (4-2-3-1): Ramsey; Vanhaevermaet, Wheeler, Payne, Boje Sørensen; Clare, Hayashi; Thomas, Gago, Bissell; Snoeijs
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Yamashita; Casparij, Rose, Knaak, Ouahabi; Hasegawa, Blindkilde Brown; Fujino, Miedema, Hemp; Shaw
Also read: Julie Blakstad Officially Joins Tottenham From Hammarby as Spurs Strengthen Backline
Everton
Everton Women Secure Fresh Minority Investment From Canadian Firm GED as Friedkin Group Restructuring Continues
Everton Women have confirmed the arrival of fresh minority investment from GED Investments, a Canadian privately-held investment company.
The announcement comes 12 months after The Friedkin Group completed their takeover of Everton, ending Farhad Moshiri’s eight-and-a-half-year ownership reign.
Under TFG’s restructuring plans, the WSL outfit became a standalone entity capable of attracting focused external investment. GED Investments will invest in on-field resources while driving commercial growth as part of their involvement with the club.
Leadership Changes Confirmed
Everton CEO Angus Kinnear will join the board of Everton Women as part of the investment deal, alongside David Beeston, chief of TFG umbrella company Pursuit Sports. The reshuffle signals a strategic shift in how the women’s team operates within the Friedkin Group’s wider football portfolio.
Kinnear welcomed the development, stating: “I am delighted to welcome GED to the Everton family. This investment is testament to the vision we have for Everton Women, and a reflection of our aligned sporting ambition. I look forward to working with them as we embark on this journey.”
Investment Comes at Critical Time
The fresh capital arrives as Everton Women fight relegation from the WSL, sitting 10th in the table with eight points from 11 matches. They’re five points above bottom-placed Liverpool heading into the winter break but have struggled for consistency throughout the campaign.
Brian Sorensen’s side face Manchester City in their first match after the break on January 11, a daunting fixture that could determine their survival hopes. The club will hope the investment provides resources to strengthen in the January transfer window.
The Friedkin Group’s decision to make Everton Women a standalone entity aims to unlock commercial opportunities unavailable under the traditional club structure, following similar models implemented by other WSL teams.
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