AUDACIOUS; FABRIZIO ROMANO CONFIRMS EVERTON IN TALKS TO SIGN ASTON VILLA WINGER THIS MONTH

Everton have opened talks to sign Aston Villa winger Jaden Philogene with negotiations underway over a permanent deal before the end of the January transfer window, according to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The Goodison Park club want to bolster their attacking ranks after scoring the second-least goals (15) so far in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, and the Villa man has emerged as a target.
Everton wanted Philogene last summer after his impressive form with Hull City in 2023-24 he returned to the Midlands club instead and has made 15 appearances across all competitions
The 22-year-old, once dubbed ‘audacious’ by Micah Richards, has only started four games and could be very much open to leaving his boyhood club again for regular playing opportunities elsewhere.
Everton would be willing to offer him that chance as manager Sean Dyche really could do with quality additions to his squad as he looks to lead the Blues to Premier League safety again.
16th-placed Toffees are only a point above the relegation zone and will need to improve significantly in the final third going forward this term to boost their chances of escaping relegation.
They believe Philogene could provide a solution to their attacking woes following his impressive spells in the Championship.
He scored 16 goals across his last two seasons in the division and has the potential to become a Premier League star if given much-needed playing minutes and a run of games.
However, his chances of joining Everton could depend on the immediate future of Dyche, with former Chelsea boss Graham Potter reportedly being lined up for the Goodison Park job.
Philogene is not in the plans of Villa manager Unai Emery and the club will be open to his departure this month, and more suitors could join Everton in the pursuit of his services.