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Benitez bombards Real Madrid with request for double Everton signing

Rafael Benitez is reportedly asking Everton to sign two players from Real Madrid in the January transfer window.

It has been a largely positive start for Benitez in the Goodison Park hotseat, despite Everton fans initially being torn over his appointment. Benitez has guided them to four wins, one draw and one defeat from his first six Premier League matches in charge.

However, he is overseeing a long-term project that will require further modification of his squad as time goes on. After all, it was a relatively quiet summer in the transfer window for the Toffees. They signed five players for the first team but only paid for one of them; besides, the man in question, Demarai Gray, only cost £1.7m.

Over time, Benitez will be hoping for further reinforcements so they can build on their promising start. As a well-connected manager, he will be aware of several opportunities.

In fact, Defensa Central claim Benitez is looking towards one of his former clubs, Real Madrid. The Blancos-based website believes he has requested the loan additions of Luka Jovic and Isco in January.

Neither player is a major part of the Madrid setup, although Isco’s fortunes have improved since the return of ex-Everton coach Carlo Ancelotti. Still, he is out of contract at the end of the season and his future could be away from the Bernabeu.

Someone of his style could be beneficial for an Everton side who cleared out James Rodriguez following the appointment of Benitez. To fill that space in the squad, they could look to replicate their raid on Real.

Isco is looking for a contract lasting three or four years, which may be off-putting for Everton. His output has dropped in recent seasons and he is now 29 years old.

But Benitez has worked with him before in the Spanish capital. He may believe he can unlock his talents again, if they can arrange a deal on the right terms.

As for Jovic, the striker has struggled to live up to expectations at the Bernabeu. He spent the second half of last season back on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt, but is still no closer to ending his Real struggles. All four of his La Liga appearances this season have come from the bench.

Whether Everton need another striker remains to be seen. Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains their talisman, while Benitez reunited with Salomon Rondon on deadline day.

Jovic would be an exciting addition though if he can rediscover the form he showed in his original spell with Frankfurt.

Everton could miss out on promising transfer

Work is clearly already underway for Everton ahead of upcoming transfer windows in 2022.

But while this update shows they are potentially making progress on some signings, not all the news has been as positive.

For example, elsewhere it has been claimed they could lose the race for another of their attacking targets.

They registered their interest in Porto winger Luis Diaz over the summer. But now the Colombian could join Barcelona instead.

Diaz was the joint-top scorer along with Lionel Messi at this year’s Copa America. Barca could see him as someone capable of stepping into the departed club legend’s shoes once their financial situation sorts out.

Therefore, Everton may have to shift their attention elsewhere. Isco would be among those they could consider for a similar – if not identical – role.

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