The January 2009 transfer window opens in a few hours and whilst speculation over the futures of Jermain Defoe, Michael Owen and Emile Heskey dominate the back pages it’s no doubt also going to be an important month for Everton. On the pitch we have a very important game against Hull City at Goodison before beginning a “Big-Four” triple header with the Merseyside Derby at Anfield.

Injuries have blighted the current campaign and with the Blues currently in 6th, who knows what could have been if the squad had stayed fully fit. There’s no doubting where Everton are lacking the most, the striker crisis is as bad as it could possibly be at the moment with Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini currently filling the void up front. Last season’s top scorer Yakubu is out for the rest of the campaign and James Vaughan is also doubtful to play again after a delay to his knee operation. Louis Saha is on the mend but will no doubt get injured again at some point and Victor Anichebe has had back problems. A whole host of names have been mentioned as possible replacements this window including: Vagner Love, David Nugent, Henrik Larsson Giampaulo Pazzini and Pavel Pogrebnyak, but it is unclear on whether there is any substance to these rumours.

Everton Manager David Moyes has had this to say on the upcoming window: “We are actively looking at what will make a difference, but I don’t think I will be able to do much in January. I am more likely to be looking at loans. Anything the club have got they will give me. But that doesn’t mean to say I am not out there looking for loans or Bosman signings or anything else that can help us. I don’t think we will be selling because we don’t have the numbers. We are short at this present time and that limits what I can do off the bench.”

Moyes has stressed that he does not have to sell but one player in particular has come into the shopping window over the past few days. After a Man-of-the-Match against Sunderland Mikel Arteta has attracted the interest of moneybags Manchester City and Arsenal, who are withough skipper Cesc Fabregas for four months. Arsenal are rumoured to be on the verge of tabling a bid between £10-12 million and it will be interesting to see whether David Moyes decides to cash in on his prized asset to be able to afford a new striker.

David Moyes has not been one to use the January-window in recent years, last year only acquiring Manuel Fernandes on loan from Valencia and Spurs’ Anthony Gardner, now of Hull, who didn’t make a single appearance for the Blues. However now more than ever Everton need players, so FollowEverton’s verdict…. you guessed is, Bill Kenwright’s  “watch this space”.

From all at FollowEverton we hope you have a very happy new year!

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