Everton are close to offloading three more players after sealing the temporary exit of fringe midfielder Nikola Vlasic, according to the Times.
The newspaper claim Yannick Bolasie, Muhamed Besic and Cuco Martina could also seal loan departures before the 31 August cut-off, with Middlesbrough keen on landing them in a stunning triple swoop.
Everton announced on their official Twitter account on Wednesday evening that Vlasic has completed a season-long loan move to Russian top-flight club CSKA Moscow.
?? | Good luck to Nikola Vlasic, who has joined @PFCCSKA_en on a season-long loan.
? https://t.co/FNjnizhurS #EFC pic.twitter.com/kZP8FI2W6L
— Everton (@Everton) August 15, 2018
OPINION
The Premier League window may have slammed shut but Everton are still busy behind the scenes in reducing their squad size and a wage bill that had ballooned out of control following the mega spending of the last two years. There were 38 players in the senior squad upon the arrival of Marcel Brands and, despite the signings of Yerry Mina, Richarlison, Lucas Digne, Bernard, Kurt Zouma and João Virginia, that number has been reduced to 29. High-profile departures have helped – most notably Wayne Rooney, Davy Klaassen, Ramiro Funes Mori, Ashley Williams and Kevin Mirallas – and more are on the way. None of Bolasie, Besic or Martina made the matchday 18 for the opening-day draw at Wolves, and don’t forget none of the new boys bar Richarlison were available for selection. With competition for places increasingly fierce, expect the trio to all be gone by 31 August, and most likely to the Championship.