IN-DEPTH NEWS

Transfer window opens

The January transfer window opened at midnight today and while mid-season is often a tricky time to try and entice players away from their clubs — or indeed to persuade their employers to let them go — Everton boss David Moyes is expected to be active to some degree this month as he looks to both strengthen his squad for the upcoming cup commitments and provide cover for the three big names he'll lose to African Nations Cup duty in the next 10 days or so.

Moyes has said that he is happy with the players he has but injury to Leon Osman and Thomas Gravesen, Mikel Arteta's three-match suspension and Steven Pienaar, Joseph Yobo and Yakubu leaving for international duty may force a re-think.

The rumour mill started churning out its usual laundry list of Moyes's supposed targets in mid-December and the speculation is only expected to increase now that the window is open.

The names of potential incoming transfers that keep cropping up include:

• Johann Vogel, the Swiss international midfielder who was all set to join Everton on a free transfer in the summer before the move was blocked by Real Betis on the grounds that he was still under contract with the Spanish club. The 30 year-old left Betis by mutual consent last week and is widely expected, among the usual rumour mongers in the media at least, to complete his move to Goodison this month.
• Daniel Gosling, Plymouth Argyle's hot 18 year-old midfield prospect was interesting enough for Chelsea that they invited him to have a trial spell earlier this season. A rumour on the ToffeeWeb/Grand Old Team Forum suggests that he's already completed his medical and will be unveiled as Moyes's latest £3m signing within hours.
• David Albelda seems to be on his way out of Valencia as the troubled Spanish outfit's crisis continues. Although on the wrong side of 30, his experience could make him an attractive alternative to Lee Carsley in defensive midfield.
• And Manual Fernandes has endured a torrid time at Mestalla after turning his back on a big-money move to Goodison at the end of August. He has been linked with increasing frequency with a shock return to Everton, either for ins permanent £8m deal or on loan.
• Yohan Mollo has been a rumoured Everton target since as far back as October and has also attracted the interest of Arsenal and Tottenham. The 18 year-old midfielder currently plies his trade with Monaco in French Ligue 1 but probably won't be there for long as the buzz about his talent grows.
• Stewart Downing, whose name comes up in connection with Everton every transfer window now, it seems, is believed to be unsettled on Teeside and is apparently being eyed by Moyes and Tottenham Hotspur.
• Eddie Johnson, the USA striker, has been mooted as a possible loan signing to cover the loss of Yakubu to the African Nations Cup. His international teammate Landon Donovan has also been mentioned on some of the less-than-reputable rumour sites seeing as the MLS is in the close season until March.
• Efrain Juarez, described as a Mexican "whizz-kid" had a trial at Goodison over the summer and apparently would have signed were it not for work permit restrictions. The 19 year-old could join on loan from Barcelona, however, as reported in the tabloids over the weekend.
• Brian Howard, regarded by some as the best midfielder outside the Premier League, is the subject of speculation linking him with a £3m bid from Everton. Wolves 'keeper Wayne Hennessy has also been mooted.
• Daniel van Buyten of Bayern Munich is another player whose name keeps appearing in connection with the Blues, as does that of Andrei Arshavin who attracted glowing reviews when he visited Goodison with Zenit St Petersburg last month.

On the outgoing front, Everton insist that no one is for sale but the paradox of James McFadden's international form compared to his lack of first-team opportunities at Goodison means that he appears to be getting a little restless and could be eyeing a return north of the Border. Regularly linked with Celtic and Rangers, the latest rumour suggests a straight swap to Ibrox for fullback Alan Hutton.