Transfer flops may get Walsh the sack

STEVE WALSH’S position as director of football at Everton is under increasing pressure after dismal returns on the club’s £239million recruitment drive.

The former Leicester City chief scout had appeared vulnerable after Ronald Koeman was sacked, but he remained at the club and was heavily involved in the process of appointing Sam Allardyce as Everton’s new manager.

Yet more questions have been asked of Walsh (below), particularly after the signing of Cenk Tosun, who cost more than £20million but has not adjusted to the league.

‘We watched him in the Champions League and we think he has the attributes that will be good for us,’ Walsh said at last month’s AGM.

Marcel Brands, PSV Eindhoven’s director of football, has been persistently linked with Everton and Farhad Moshiri, the major shareholder, wants the club to be getting better value for money.

Everton broke their transfer record last summer and recruited nine players but many signings have disappointed.

Worryingly for Everton, the spending did not see a naturally left-footed player arrive — even though they have been crying out for one — and the squad appears more mentally fragile than ever.

Last week’s collapse at Arsenal was the sixth time this season Everton have conceded four or more goals in a game and Allardyce is concerned at how deep-rooted the issue has become.

‘It is a worry,’ said Allardyce. ‘There is no time or place ever where you can switch off and not perform at your best. They aren’t gelling. It hasn’t happened. But next season it is a clean slate.’