Free agents Everton could still target after deadline day disaster

(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The fall-out from Everton’s shambolic deadline day dash for deals will roll on into the coming days. The fiasco that was the final few hours of the transfer window saw a promising deal for Folarin Balogun collapse, after Iliman Ndiaye and Beto were both sold on. 

Late Hail Marys in the direction of Joshua Zirkzee, Tammy Abraham, and Kenny Tete failed to materialise into additions, leaving Everton severely short in several areas. The transfer window has closed with Everton having one senior centre-forward, one recognised right-back who is yet to debut, and one left-back. 

The Toffees must now ride it out until January, or dip into the free agent market. It might not be glamorous, but here are some available free agents who could add badly needed depth. 

Krepin Diatta

An option discussed earlier in the summer after delving through the data. Per 90 minutes, the out-of-contract former Monaco wideman was among Ligue 1’s leading performers last season for duels won percentage (1st), aerial duels won (2nd), accurate crosses (3rd), and key passes (6th). 

The small sample size due to a lack of minutes (he played 1011 league minutes last season) is a caveat, but the numbers are promising. A winger-turned-full-back, Diatta can operate in various positions and, at 27, is of a good age.

Emil Krafth

The Swedish defender remains without a club since leaving Newcastle in the summer. At 32, he boasts 84 appearances in the Premier League and 52 international caps.

Dani Carvajal

Could Everton tempt the serial winner to take on the challenge of the Premier League? The 34-year-old is a free agent after concluding a trophy-laden spell at Real Madrid that delivered 451 games played, four La Liga titles and six Champions League trophies. File this was down as unlikely.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Adam Aznou’s loan exit for Malaga leaves Vitaliy Mykolenko short of competition and cover. Still just 29, Zinchenko has been on a downward spiral since leaving Arsenal and made two appearances for Ajax after signing a short-term deal in January. A knee injury curtailed his campaign before exiting in the summer.

Raphael Guerrerio

A more exciting, if slightly older, option than Zinchenko. Raphael Guerrerio is on the hunt for a new club after leaving Bayern Munich, where he scored five times and added two assists in 18 league appearances last season. The 32-year-old can play almost anywhere, versatility that would be welcomed in a threadbare squad.

Joselu

A member of the incredibly unique group of footballers to have struggled at Stoke but scored goals for Real Madrid, alongside Michael Owen and Jese Rodriguez. Joselu is on the lookout for his next challenge after scoring 27 goals in 57 games for Al-Gharaf in Qatar’s Stars League. 

That move followed a remarkable 2023-24 season on loan at Real Madrid, where he scored 18 goals and was a crucial part of the Spanish side’s Champions League success. Eintracht Frankfurt, Lazio and Union Berlin are all sniffing around the 36-year-old.

Jamie Vardy

Jamie Vardy appears more focused on becoming a media mogul than finding a new club right now, with a successful Netflix show, podcast, and the attainment of Bundesliga broadcast rights for his YouTube channel, “Jamie Vardy’s Having a Party”.

Vardy will turn 40 in February, but showed last season he can still find the net. The veteran scored seven Serie A goals in a relegated Cremonese side.

Reader Comments (9)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()

How to get rid of these ads and support TW