The 21-year-old midfielder is the subject of a proposed season long loan deal for the Blues but the transfer has dragged on due to British work permit regulations.
Although a full Argentine international, Banega has not played in 75 per cent of the South American's fixtures over the last two years.
This means that he is not automatically eligible for a work permit and the Blues must attend a hearing at the Home Office in London on Friday to see if the application has been successful.
Obviously this means that the team that fell to pieces against Arsenal will have no new additions by time we face Sigma Olomouc tomorrow night.
And why do Everton keep doing this?
Last season we missed out on signing Victor obinna from Internazionale for the exact same reason.
And, at a time when we're really desperate for new additions to the squad is it wise to be putting all our efforts into a deal that, ultimately, is in the hands of a beuraucrat?
In other transfer news, the search for a dodgy centre half continues and the rpess have finally put two and two together and linked us with Middlesbrough's Robert Huth.
What's that sound? Oh yeah, thousands of Evertonians pulses racing...