Ronald Koeman admits Yannick Bolasie injury could prompt January spending

Everton boss  Ronald Koeman admits he may be tempted into the January transfer market in the wake of Yannick Bolasie’s season-ending injury.

Bolasie, a £25m summer-signing from Crystal Palace, suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage to his right knee during the 1-1 draw with Manchester United last weekend and could even miss the start of next season.

The DR Congo international will have an operation next week and although Koeman says his absence opens the door for players such as Kevin Mirallas and Gerard Deulofeu, the transfer window could offer him an opportunity to bolster his squad.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Sky Live game at Watford, Koeman said: “It is an opportunity for other players who maybe did not play a lot in the last few weeks and we know we need competition.

“We need a big squad as it is a big month coming up with a lot of games and we need everyone at a good level.”Still we are looking for some good options (in the transfer window) and maybe the necessity now is a little bit more than before because we have lost Yannick for a long time.

“He is going to for an opinion about his knee, what is the best thing to do and the kind of operation, and then maybe he will go somewhere else to get a second opinion.

“Normally I think the operation will be next week but it is a big disappointment for everyone: the player himself, his team-mates and the whole club because he is an important player.”