Everton are expected to strengthen their backline before the January transfer window closes as they only have three first-team defenders – Michael Keane, Mason Holgate, Yerry Mina.
The Toffees were linked with a move for Nottingham Forest’s Joe Worrall after his bright start to the season, but the trail has gone cold in 2020 and it appears the 23-year-old is no longer a transfer target.
Worrall has made 28 Championship appearances this campaign, scoring and creating four goals. He’s been a regular for Sabri Lamouchi alongside Michael Dawson and has kept nine clean sheets.
As per WhoScored, the Englishman has won 98 aerial duels (69.5%), averaged 39.7 passes-per-game with an 82% completion ratio, blocked 49 shots/crosses/passes, made 145 clearances and has made 49 tackles and interceptions.
He’s only been dribbled past seven times too, so it’s not hard to see why Worrall was on Everton’s radar before the transfer window opened. But with Sabri Lamouchi insisting he won’t be sold in January and Worrall being desperate to extend his stay at Forest, his future looks to be at the City Ground, not Goodison Park.
They’ve been linked with Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake and Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma, but it doesn’t appear they’ll sign anyone. Carlo Ancelotti and Marcel Brands only have six days remaining but aren’t close to making a signing.