Everton have endured a tricky few months under new manager Ronald Koeman, who has overseen just one Premier League win in their last ten games.

The Toffees had initially made a fantastic start to the season under the Dutchman, who left Southampton in the summer, by winning four of their opening five league games, and sitting second in the table behind Manchester City on September 17.

However, since then, it hasn’t been great for the Goodison Park faithful, who have overseen just one Premier League victory – a 2-0 win over West Ham on October 30.

Their 3-2 defeat away at Watford on Saturday, a fourth successive away league loss, was their third in their last five matches, and it saw them leapfrogged by the Hornets in the Premier League table.

Koeman’s men now sit in ninth place, seven points adrift of Tottenham in fifth, and go into tomorrow’s game against in-form Arsenal looking to get back to winning ways.

Everton’s disappointing run has increased speculation about who they might sign in January, and they have subsequently been linked with many players in recent times, as well as their own being linked with moves away.

However, here are TWO deals that are unlikely to happen come the New Year…

Virgil van Dijk

The Koeman link could give this particular rumour some substance, but it’d be surprising if Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk ended up at Everton.

The 25-year-old has been outstanding at the heart of the Saints defence this season, and has been particularly impressive in their Europa League campaign, and indeed against Everton three weeks ago at St Mary’s.

His great displays has unsurprisingly attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, and it’s this competition with Manchester City, Manchester United, and possibly Liverpool that makes it difficult to see van Dijk move to Goodison Park.

They could all outdo Everton financially and, apart from United, the other two have genuine title ambitions, and look certain to be in the Champions League next year.

That’s not something the Toffees can offer yet, so it’d be a shock if he moved to Everton.

Wayne Rooney

A lot was made about Wayne Rooney’s deselection in the England side back in October, and then he subsequent spell on the bench at Manchester United.

So much was made that he was even linked with a move back to Everton, where he left 12 years ago.

However, the England record goal-scorer handed in a transfer request at Goodison Park prior to his departure, and isn’t entirely endeared by the Everton faithful, which makes this move highly unlikely.

Not only that, but Rooney has since unsurprisingly appeared more in recent times for United, and he still has the all time goal-scoring record in his sights, trailing Sir Bobby Charlton by just one goal on 248.

Rooney could well leave United in the near future, but it’s unlikely to happen in January or for Everton.