Everton manager Rafael Benitez insists new Anwar El Ghazi wasn't imposed on him.

Everton's transfer policy under owner Farhad Msoshiri has been criticised and El-Ghazi hadn't even featured in Benitez's recruitment plans for this window until his name was mentioned when Aston Villa opened negotiations over Lucas Digne.

"To be fair, with the Covid situation, with injuries and also (Alex) Iwobi away from here for nearly one month, it was an opportunity," said Benitez.

"If there is a player on loan, with quality, that wants to come and who wants to prove himself, then maybe it is a win-win situation. That was the idea.

"I was talking with the player to be sure he was keen to come, and he has the desire to do well for us, and he was quite positive, In the end, hopefully he can improve our squad. He has his commitment and wanted to come. That was, for me, the key part of the negotiation."