Season 2021-22 Opinion Talking Points Everton January Transfer Targets by Gary McCarty | 04/12/2021 0 Comments [Jump to last] We are only 14 match days into the 2021/22 Premier League season, but Everton's chances of challenging for a European finish already look faint.A run of eight league matches without a win has seen the Toffees drop to 14th in the table as the pressure ramps up on the under-fire manager Rafael Benitez.While the supporters continue to voice their discontent over the Spaniard's underwhelming tenure, the club chiefs are scouring the market for potential January reinforcements.Everton's poor start to the season has urged the Goodison Park powerbrokers to dig into their pockets and strengthen the squad this winter, and if you are looking to bet on the Toffees finishing in the top ten, you can use offers by bonuscodebets or other bookmakers to get in on the action. There’s a lot to suggest that smart recruitment in January plus a potential change in management could help Everton jump back up the table. Let’s have a look at the three hottest names on the Toffees’ shortlist.Sergio GomezAccording to Belgian newspaper HLN (via SportWitness), Everton scouts were at Charleroi at the weekend to have a closer look at the highly-rated Anderlecht left-back Sergio Gomez. Despite spending most of his youth career as an attacking midfielder, the 21-year-old has turned into a left-back since swapping Borussia Dortmund for the Lotto Park this summer.He may have dropped back in Vincent Kompany's set-up, but the Spaniard has never lost his attacking instincts, as evidenced by his outstanding output this season.From left-back this season, Gomez has clocked up a resounding five goals and seven assists from 16 league appearances for Anderlecht, establishing himself as the club's most productive player.His eye-catching technical ability and scoring capacity are not surprising, given that he learnt his trait at Barcelona's famous La Masia academy. Gomez would be a massive coup for Everton, especially on the back of Lucas Digne's noticeable dip in form this season.However, the Toffees are not alone in the race for the prodigious left-back's services, with Manchester United reportedly entertaining the idea of signing the youngster.Luis DiazPer Win Sports TV journalist Pipe Sierra, the Merseysiders have made an enquiry to Porto about the availability of sought-after forward Luis Diaz.The 24-year-old, who has two-and-a-half years left to run on his contract, has dominated transfer news headlines from several top European clubs, including Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Liverpool.So Everton will face an uphill task of capturing the Colombian's signature, with Porto reportedly insisting on Diaz's staggering £68million release clause to be met in full. As reported by Sierra, the Portuguese heavyweights would only consider sitting at the negotiating table only if an offer in the region of £42m reached their headquarters.Diaz has been nothing short of top-class this season, notably registering 12 goals and two assists in 19 appearances in all competitions. His dazzling feet and a keen eye for goal would add a new dimension to the Toffees' blunted attack, but taking him to Goodison won't be simple.Except for Andros Townsend, Everton wide forwards have failed to live up to expectations this season, especially Richarlison, who cannot find his feet under Benitez.Gabriel BarbosaAccording to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Everton have joined the race for the in-demand Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa.The Toffees have missed standout striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to injury for most of the first half of the season so far, without having a reliable go-to option to fill the void.A lack of another out-and-out striker has come back to haunt Benitez's side of late, with Everton netting an average of just 0.9 Premier League goals in Calvert-Lewin's absence.The Goodison Park hierarchy will try to repair the damage in the January transfer window, and Barbosa has emerged as the potential candidate to reinforce their attack.When it comes to scoring prowess, Gabigol has been second to none in non-European football over the past couple of seasons, as witnessed by his handsome tally of 84 goals and 26 assists from 122 matches for Flamengo.Unfortunately for Everton, Arsenal and several other European clubs have laid their eyes on the resurgent Brazilian star, who failed to impress during his first stint in Europe. Return to Talking Points index : Add your Comments » About these ads Find out how to browse ad-free and support ToffeeWeb © ToffeeWeb