Six players who could leave Everton before the closure of the summer transfer window

Rafa Benitez will still feel there’s plenty of work for Everton to complete in the transfer market before the window closes on Tuesday, August 31.

Despite much talk about a squad rebuild being required, the Toffees’ recruitment has been fairly subdued since the Spaniard took over from predecessor Carlo Ancelotti.

So far, only three fresh faces have arrived - and a modest £1.5 million spent.

The only player Everton have purchased is Demarai Gray from Bayer Leverkusen, with Andros Townsend and Asmir Begovic joining on free transfers from Crystal Palace and Bournemouth respectively.

There’s a general feeling that Benitez is still a right-back, centre-midfielder and perhaps even a striker short.

But with Everton having to spend carefully to ensure they don’t breach financial fair play regulations, they’ll likely have to free up funds in order to bring in reinforcements.

With that in mind, we take a look at who could leave Merseyside.

Jonjoe Kenny

With Everton in the market for a right-back to provide cover and competition to captain Seamus Coleman, it means Kenny is surplus to requirements.

The academy product has played only eight times in the past two seasons for Everton.

Kenny spent the 2019-20 campaign on loan at German outfit Schalke before joining Celtic on loan for the second half of last term.

The Toffees have reportedly slashed their asking price on the 24-year-old to try to boost their coffers. He’s said to be available for around £5 million.

Mason Holgate

The centre-back started Everton’s opening-day win against Southampton alongside Michael Keane but his future is still uncertain.

The fact Holgate played against Southampton was perhaps more circumstantial. Ben Godfrey was not available for the clash, while Yerry Mina reported for duty later than most of his team-mates after representing Colombia at the Copa America. He was an unused substitute.

When all four central defenders are available, Holgate’s likely to be furthest down the pecking order.

And with 18-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite set to remain around Benitez’s squad, Holgate may not be required.

Brighton have tentatively been linked.

Fabian Delph

Since arriving from Manchester City for £10 million in 2019, the midfielder has struggled to make any sort of impact at Goodison.

He’s struggled with various injuries and, given he’s likely to be one of the club’s higher earners, hasn’t proven value for money.

Delph was left on the bench against Southampton and will fall further down the pecking order when Jean-Philippe Gbamin returns.

With Everton looking to cut back on their wage bill, it would make sense for Delph to leave for regularly football elsewhere.

Andre Gomes

The former Barcelona midfielder had a fine loan spell at Everton before he joined on a permanent basis.

However, following his return from the serious ankle injury he sustained in November 2019, Gomes has not hit his previous heights.

The Portuguese featured 32 times in all competitions last season and missed the clash with Southampton.

With Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan currently first choice, coupled with talk that Everton are looking for a ball-carrying player in the middle of the park, it could render Gomez redundant.

He has been linked with Benfica in his homeland.

James Rodriguez

His future has been a hot topic of conversation on Merseyside this summer.

Despite being a two-time Champions League winner who dazzled supporters at times last season, Benitez has reportedly told the Colombian he’s not in his plans.

The decision has split Evertonians. On the one hand, some don’t want to sell such a mercurial talent while others accept freeing up his wages - supposedly around £200,000 per week - could be invested better elsewhere.

Rodriguez recently denied that he’s set to join Atletico Madrid after posting a cryptic tweet in Spanish which translated to “Never stop believing” - the slogan of the La Liga champions.

However, it’d be no surprise if he leaves before the window closes.

Moise Kean

The striker joined Everton for around £30 million from Juventus in the summer of 2019, having forged a reputation as one of the brightest prospects in Europe.

Kean endured a tough maiden campaign on Merseyside, though, scoring only four goals in 37 games.

Despite struggling at Goodison, Paris Saint-Germain signed him on loan last season. He bagged 17 times for the French giants and helped them reach the Champions League semi-finals.

It might only be a tad surprising that there’s talk of Kean leaving Everton after rubbing shoulders with the likes of Neymar and Kylian Kylian Mbappe in Paris.

But with the Toffees already having two top-class strikers in Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, cashing in on Kean would provide Benitez with the sort of funds needed to strengthen elsewhere.