EXCLUSIVE: Everton target Josh Brownhill as 777 takeover forces Dyche to loan market

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 22 Dec 2023 12:11 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Everton are targeting Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill for the January transfer window, FootballTransfers has been told.

The Merseyside club have defied the odds with their fine performance this season - but their issues are still not over yet. Sean Dyche has been something of a miracle worker, pushing the club to mid-table despite the ongoing furore in the background, whether that be the Premier League deducting an unprecedented amount of points or the constant media scrutiny around the potential new owners of the club.

Everton are going to have to look to the loan market to bring in fresh faces in the winter window, FootballTransfers has been told. Dyche remains an admirer of Brownhill of Burnley, with the central midfield position being a priority.

The 28-year-old's contract is up in 2024, meaning that he could leave as a free agent at the end of the season or the Clarets may look to sell.

As was the case during the summer, Everton still want a winger. Space could be freed up with Arnaut Danjuma in talks with his former side Villarreal over a return. The club are expecting no other significant outgoings and it’s understood that any development of the 777 takeover will have a factor in how much is available.

When will 777 take over Everton?

The prospective buyers are currently awaiting approval from the Premier League to complete the takeover of the Toffees, having reached an agreement with owner Farhad Moshiri in September. However, a setback has occurred for the US investment group as one of their prominent UK partners, the sports marketing firm Redstrike, has decided to end the joint venture, which they agreed upon just last year.

The Premier League are still in the process of examining the funds involved and we are told that there is no timeframe in which the deal will be completed, though the ambition is for it to be done as soon as possible.