Everton have started the ongoing transfer window with some rather understated signings.

The Toffees have targeted some big names but so far have only ended up with the likes of Andros Townsend, Demarai Gray and Asmir Begovic.

What’s the word?

Whether Everton do spend big this summer could be determined by the future of Richarlison.

If the Brazilian leaves Goodison Park behind then presumably he’ll command a pretty hefty fee.

Should a large sum be acquired then it would not be a great surprise if Rafa Benitez finally decided to splash the cash in the market.

One player they could target as a result is Real Madrid star Marco Asensio. Reports in Spain suggest that Everton, Leeds and Leicester are all options for the winger heading into the new campaign.

Asensio has long been tipped for stardom and was once linked with a mega £119m move to Chelsea.

The new Rodriguez

With James Rodriguez and Richarlison in danger of leaving, Everton must look at signing some high-quality wingers in the eventuality they depart.

Their Colombian dynamo would be the biggest loss after extraordinarily signing him on a free transfer 12 months ago.

He contributed to ten Premier League goals and was their most creative player in terms of key passes per match last season.

Once of Real Madrid, Marcel Brands and Benitez could repeat last summer’s marquee arrival by snapping up Asensio.

Previously tipped to win the Ballon d’Or, he is a mesmeric player on his day, being described as “magical” by Madrid midfielder Casemiro.

He has scored 37 goals for the Spanish side throughout his career but his trajectory has fallen off after suffering a nasty ACL injury back in July 2019.

At the time, Asensio was even being compared to Lionel Messi; “Zidane told me that since Messi, he had never seen a left foot like mine,” the wide man admitted. Rodriguez has an impressive left foot himself but this is arguably the best compliment a player of their ilk could receive.

Asensio only scored seven times last season but at the age of 25, he is now rapidly approaching his prime.

A canny dribbler and a creative maestro, he’d be a simply wonderful addition to the Goodison Park ranks.

Rodriguez was a fine coup last summer but this would arguably be even more impressive given the reviews he received just a few years ago.

AND in other news, Benitez could discover his new Fernando Torres if Everton land 58-goal “nightmare”…