New Everton boss Lampard eyeing four deadline day signings in bid to save Toffees’ season

Former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is expected to be announced as the new manager of Everton on Monday, having put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year deal with the Toffees over the weekend. 

The ex-England international was sacked by Chelsea in January 2021, but is set to return to management with Everton, who have struggled so far this season and dismissed Rafa Benitez earlier this month.

With official confirmation of Lampard’s appointment expected imminently, it appears that the Englishman has wasted no time in making the most of the final 24 hours of the transfer window.

As per The Mirror, Lampard will aim to complete four signings on deadline day, in a bid to bolster his struggling squad.

The report suggests that Donny van de Beek, who has endured a nightmare spell at current club Manchester United, will join the Toffees on a loan deal.

There is one slight obstacle in the way of the deal, however, which revolves around current rules that limit Premier League clubs to just two domestic loan signings.

Lampard’s first game in charge of Everton will be against Brentford in the FA Cup fourth round next weekend

Having already brought in Aston Villa’s Anwar El Ghazi until the end of the season, Lampard will now have to choose between Van de Beek and Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli, who they are also interested in, although it appears that a deal for the Dutchman is all but complete.

The report also says that, while Lampard will have funds available, it is unlikely that a permanent deal for either player could be completed in the little time remaining.

The club have reportedly also made contact with Paris Saint-Germain over a possible loan deal for former midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye.

The Senegalese midfielder would not count towards their domestic loan quota, and could therefore be signed much more easily.

Lampard is also believed to be desperate to bring in defensive reinforcements to fix the Toffees’ leaky defence.

Under Benitez they boasted the sixth-worst defensive record in the league, having conceded 35 goals in 20 league matches, and kept just three clean sheets in that time.

Lampard will therefore aim to sign a defender permanently, especially having offloaded Lucas Digne to Aston Villa on loan earlier this month.