Plenty of work left for Everton this summer - key areas that need new signings | OneFootball

Everton, facing an unprecedented squad rebuild, managed to tick two items off their to-do list this month. Thierno Barry was signed from Villarreal for £27m to lead the frontline while Mark Travers arrived from Bournemouth for £4m to provide competition to Jordan Pickford in goal.

Any signs of relief, though, are far from apparent as the Blues continue to scour the market to add players to David Moyes’ heavily depleted squad. The arrivals of Barry and Travers take Everton’s squad to 20 players, 18 of them seniors. “I’m hoping to make more additions in the coming weeks,” Moyes has said repeatedly.

Business has been slow so far. Several changes have been made to the backroom staff following the arrival of chief executive Angus Kinnear, and the recruitment team only started to take shape by the end of last season.

There are several gaps across a wide range of positions as the Blues still need wingers, additions to midfield, and cover for the full-backs. At the bare minimum, Everton need to sign at least five players in the remaining weeks of the transfer window to field a competitive team with proper depth in their first season playing at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Let’s look at the profiles that the club desperately needs to address in order of priority and the players (also from the academy) who could fulfill those roles.

What are the key areas that need new signings?

Right winger

Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom returned to their respective clubs following the end of their loan spells. However, the right wing was a cause of concern even last season, with Harrison and Lindstrom contributing to just four goals combined all season. Neither winger was convincing during their loan spell and both failed to provide meaningful offensive output.

Dwight McNeil and Carlos Alcaraz can play on the right, but they are better suited to other areas on the pitch. As such, the Blues need to sign two right-wingers to cover this position. A potential Jack Harrison return has been rumoured, but it would represent a step backwards.

The Blues have been associated with several names like Takefusa Kubo, Omari Hutchinson, Ben Doak, and Tom Fellows during this transfer window.

Players currently linked: Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich Town), Ben Doak (Liverpool), Tom Fellows (West Bromwich Albion)

Academy player: Isaac Heath, Justin Clarke

Left-back

Vitaliy Mykolenko is the only recognised left-back in Everton’s first team at the moment. Under Moyes, he was often tasked with pushing forward last season and contributing to the attack while Jake O’Brien tucked inside when deployed as a makeshift right-back.

The departure of Ashley Young has left a gaping hole and the club needs to sign a left-back, preferably someone comfortable with going forward and providing crosses, final balls and assists.

Argentine World Cup winner Nicolas Tagliafico has been linked with a move for a while but recent rumours suggest he could end up extending his contract with current club Olympique Lyon.

Players currently linked: Nicolas Tagliafico (Olympique Lyon)

Attacking midfield

Carlos Alcaraz was signed on a permanent basis after making a strong impression during his six-month loan spell. Despite limited minutes, Alcaraz’s tidy footwork, relentlessness and sparks of intelligence breathed new life into an Everton midfield otherwise bereft of creativity.

David Moyes may look to shore up that position and former player Tomas Soucek, of West Ham, has been mooted as an Abdoulaye Doucoure replacement. The Czech can perform in multiple midfield roles but, at 30, would be a stop-gap signing. Manchester City’s James McAtee  has been strongly linked with the club and would represent a more exciting and creative addition

Players currently linked: James McAtee (Manchester City), Tomas Soucek (West Ham United)

Central midfield

Idrissa Gana Gueye’s new deal has probably saved the club an exorbitant sum to address their midfield issues. Gana Gueye was the standout player of the last campaign and was voted Players’ Player of the Year. However, at 35, he’s no spring chicken anymore.

It would be smart for the club to actually sign a player who could fill his shoes in a year or two and/or provide a greater balance and defensive acumen to the midfield than James Garner usually does. Douglas Luiz of Juventus has been strongly linked and the former Aston Villa player also has a ton of Premier League experience.

Academy graduate Harrison Armstrong is another strong candidate for the role. Returning to the club following an encouraging loan spell at Derby County, the 18-year-old was one of the brightest sparks in the 1-1 draw with Accrington Stanley. If he manages to impress during the pre-season, he could help the club save money on this role and look for players to fill elsewhere.

Players currently linked: Douglas Luiz (Juventus), Neil El Aynaoui (RC Lens), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)

Academy player: Harrison Armstrong

Right-back

Everton have needed a new right-back for a long time now. With captain Seamus Coleman in the twilight of his career and struggling with injuries and Nathan Patterson, deemed to be his long-term replacement, not living up to that responsibility, David Moyes deployed Jake O’Brien as a makeshift right-back for the final months of last season.

While all three players are expected to contribute at right-back next season, the overwhelming feeling is that they aren't appropriate for the role in the long term.

The Blues had personal terms agreed to sign Fulham’s Kenny Tete as a free agent before he changed his mind and signed a new deal with the Cottagers.

Brazil’s Wesley Franca has been tracked by Everton for a while now, but they could face competition from sister club AS Roma for his signing.

Reader Comments (113)

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Mike Allison 1 Posted 18/07/2025 at 14:09:44

Assuming we all agree that we need a new right back (despite having 2 already and O’Brien and Garner who can play there) then we need 6 players: RB, LB, CM, AM/LW, RWx2

I had expected us to use the free transfer market, given Roma have done so in recent years, but this seems not to be happening. You’re allowed to loan four players but I think it’s imprudent to loan more than two. So two loans, probably scope for two serious signings - this leaves us looking for a couple of bargains or unexpected youth promotions.

I’ve given up guessing what we’ll do. I’ve said before: I think there are fans on this website who were better prepared for this transfer window than the club were. Let’s see if they can get it all in place. After all, 6 players needed, 6 weeks of the window left. It should be doable, but at what cost to future PSR considerations?

Robert Tressell 2 Posted 18/07/2025 at 14:14:06

Mike it seems unlikely we’ll get 6 players. Maybe 3 or 4.

Moyes will then have to juggle a small core squad and use versatile players like McNeil, Garner and O’Brien to cover injury gaps.

It will probably take two more summer windows before we have 2 players of decent quality for each position.

Sam Hoare 3 Posted 18/07/2025 at 14:22:08

Dream window looks something like: Wesley at RB, Kubo at RW, Luiz at CM with a few cheaper players and loans (Brownhill, Lindstrom etc) to fill in.

A less aspirational but perhaps pragmatic window looks like: Soucek at CM, Fellowes at RW, Maitland-Niles at RB with a couple more squad players to fill.

Reality will probably be somewhere in the middle. But I'd be surprised if we don't get at least 4 more players including loans.

Mihir Ambardekar 4 Posted 18/07/2025 at 14:43:22

Hugely successful window according to me could be something like this:

Incoming:

1. LB - Tagliafico. From an offensive pov we will be better on left.2. RB - Wesley Franca or the Greek lad. We have good cover in that position3. Douglas Luiz on loan with an option to buy. OR Neil Aynaoui from RC Lens4. RW - James Mcatee and Tom Fellows both to sign.

Isaac Heath & Baiden Graham from reserves with few cameos on the wing for depth.

Outgoing -

Chermiti (loan) - Loan to a good club in championship or other leaguesPatterson - 6-7 million if anybody wants himArmstrong - Loan to a good club in championshipMartin Sheriff and Omari Benjamin can be sent out on loan

Dave Roberts 5 Posted 18/07/2025 at 14:45:14

For the sake of my mental health I have decided to personally restrain myself from reading this kind of crap especially when most of it has it's seeds in dubious click baiting websites. I will only read about how nice it is to have this or that players services accompanied by photos of him sitting in Dick's Dock with the shirt on and a scarf draped around his neck. Or, in the event of a near total failure of the attempt to rebuild the squad, I would like to read the Club's reason why. So there!

Eric Myles 6 Posted 18/07/2025 at 14:56:14

Dick's Dock Dave?

Dixies's Dock surely?

Craig Walker 7 Posted 18/07/2025 at 14:58:14

New stadium. New owners. New structure. New optimism but some things don't change. We are always slow to do our business. We continually get linked with players and then the rumours just peter out. We end up starting the season slowly and are playing catch-up around October. We'll be hoping to do some last-minute business on deadline day. Rinse and repeat.

Why can't we scout players in the way that the likes of Brentford or Brighton seem to do?

I know it's July and we shouldn't get too down but Moyes' teams traditionally started slowly during his first tenure. We used to think we didn't do our business early so Bill could save on the wages.

Robert Tressell 8 Posted 18/07/2025 at 14:59:09

With Mbeumo now set for Man Utd, I wonder if they would sell Amad Diallo, who I would have thought would be a brilliant signing for us.

Pace work rate and quality on the right flank.

Sean Mitchell 9 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:04:48

Expect Harrison back. He'd be the interpreter and back up tea lady.

Coufal (what's his dead ball like?) and Soucek (could be useful with the other big lads for a corner or free kick).

Questions have to be asked if that happens. Especially with these players being linked.

It'll be lack of funds, or we're simply not attractive. Despite the new stadium.

Please prove me wrong.

All 4 of these players pictured would transform the first team.

Kevin Molloy 10 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:05:40

All the interesting deals take place in the last 5 days.

That's just the way the market works unless you're prepared to pay over the odds.

Ryan Holroyd 12 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:11:50

Would be nice, Robert, but zero chance.

Si Pulford 13 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:15:27

Have Brighton and Brentford signed more players than us this window?

Seems to me we're doing more business than most but still being destroyed on TW.

Brentford are about to lose Wissa, Mbeumo and have lost Noorgard who they've replaced with Henderson. They've also lost their manager.

Remind me why we are doing so much worse than these teams in this window?

Neil Lawson 14 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:18:29

Dave Roberts. Well said.

Can anyone explain why, once identified, it takes so ridiculously long to sign a player?

Just target those who want to come without having to waste time persuading them.

Ryan Holroyd 15 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:20:04

We have £150M to spend according to this:

Man City star tops Everton’s ambitious £150M summer transfer plans

Eric Myles 16 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:20:27

Sean #9, talking of Coufal's dead balls I just read Charlie Adams saying that the reason he failed at Everton was 'cos McNeil was injured and he's the only dead ball specialist we have.

Si, considering Brighron and Brentford finished so far above us maybe they just don't need to improve their squad as much as we do? And by so many signings?

Sam Hoare 17 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:27:28

Robert@8, I love Diallo. That's a player I'd rather spend £40m on than Hutchinson.

Sadly, I doubt he'd be available but a conversation worth having. Garnacho is more likely to leave.

Eric Myles 18 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:28:18

Ryan, now he's let the cat out of the bag everyone is going to add £20 million on to every player we ask about.

But then, if he knew what he was talking about why is he quoting Travers as our only signing?

Doesn't he read the papers he writes for?

Sean Mitchell 19 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:31:29

Eric #16.

Charlie Adam was always a weird one. He looks like he's been to Greggs and downed 15 pints.

Surely it was his job to train the likes of Garner and Mykolenko? He was a waste of time. And he's a RS.

Eric Myles 20 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:37:54

Sean, that's kinda what I thought. Surely he can train players in delivery of dead balls? Not just in strategy of dead ball situations.

Maybe it's an instinct thing but surely something a professional footballer can learn the mechanics of and execute without the flair?

James Hughes 21 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:37:55

What, they sell beer at Greggs?

Do you have to buy the sausage roll each time?

Mike Allison 22 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:44:37

Si (13), mostly because they haven't lost 12-13 players like we have. They've already got a squad and their objective is to maintain or improve it.

We had 12 players at one point. Our objective is to have a squad at all and without 5 more incomings we'll have failed.

This is why I can't understand those calling for Harrison and Chermiti to go on loan – unless we sign replacements in addition to the 5-6 we already need then we can't afford to lose them and should be looking to use them.

Sean Mitchell 23 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:48:10

James #21,

Wetherspoons next door.

Dave Abrahams 24 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:49:45

Eric (16),

I thought I read, before he came here, that Alcaraz could take a tidy free kick but, apart from the very good one he took v Bournemouth that hit the post from about 30 yards in the FA Cup game, I don't think he was used in that department.

Christy Ring 25 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:50:39

We've been linked with so many players.

The one which has me worried is Harrison, after his performance last season, let's hope Moyes leaves him at Leeds.

Billy Bradshaw 26 Posted 18/07/2025 at 15:54:51

Dave @ 5,

Bramley-Moore for me all day long, the only ones I've heard calling it Dick's Dock are the redshite supporters trying to take the piss out of us.

Liam Mogan 27 Posted 18/07/2025 at 16:11:52

They are right cards with their hilarious humour, those Reds, Billy.

What with Tarby, Stan Boardman and the not unfunny John Bishop, they have a fine pedigree. Such wags.

Danny O'Neill 28 Posted 18/07/2025 at 16:37:56

Liam,

Firstly, John Bishop isn't funny. He makes me cringe.

I don't know what it is with them, but for some reason, we really get under their skin.

Despite their recent success, there seems to be an increasing sense of jealousy and resentment. Wait until we win something.

John Pickles 29 Posted 18/07/2025 at 16:40:19

Clickbait site reporting Everton are in 'pole position' to sign Atletico Madrid RW Samuel Lino on a free transfer.

Apparently, they say, he has 'scored more goals than Jack Harrison in fewer games'.

Liam Mogan 30 Posted 18/07/2025 at 16:43:26

The older I get, the more I couldn't care less what the RS do, say or think, Danny.

Apart from their comedians who are side splitting (honestly).

Jake FitzGerald 31 Posted 18/07/2025 at 16:46:01

I keep seeing Grealish connected to us on loan.

Just can't ever see him in an Everton shirt.

Kevin Molloy 32 Posted 18/07/2025 at 16:49:43

That Independent article is rather unhelpful. I can't imagine Moyes finds it useful to have his budget trumpeted from the rooftops.

I hope this isn't Angus getting his retaliation in if we end up not spending much.

Paul Kossoff 33 Posted 18/07/2025 at 16:54:03

West Ham just signed Kyle Walker-Peters for free. That's three defenders they have signed this week, while we are fuckingg about waiting for the last 10 minutes of the transfer window.

I even heard Moyes has bought a bottle of window cleaner so he doesn't miss anything when the window is closing. Must be the smallest squad size in the Premier League.

Alan McGuffog 34 Posted 18/07/2025 at 16:54:58

I've had some of this "dickory dock" stuff off them.

I just point out how well the walls have been built and that no one is pushing them over. Has the desired effect.

Paul Kossoff 35 Posted 18/07/2025 at 17:02:11

Jake 31.

"I keep seeing Grealish connected to us on loan. Just can't ever see him in an Everton shirt."

I can see him in an Everton blanket, sitting on his arse on the bench after he's fallen over so many times he's had to come off before he really hurts himself. I can see him doing another con man act as Alli did, and picking up a big wage for doing fuck-all.

Paul Kossoff 36 Posted 18/07/2025 at 17:07:16

Billy 26,

You know what we should do?

Ban all and every red bastard from BMD. Don't let the fuckers in ever, not even for a piss, now that would really fuck them up.

Can we do that?

Danny O'Neill 37 Posted 18/07/2025 at 17:10:21

I'm not sure why we would get concerned about what West Ham are doing. I'm more bothered with what Everton do.

Let's see what happens this month. And being in the US won't stop negotiations.

I won't use the derogatory "D" word, as I know that offends a few. But what most of us know is that Moyes is careful, cautious and considerate when he looks at potential signings.

I'm not getting over-excited by other clubs' signings. Who knows how they will work out? I'm more concerned by what Everton bring in.

Jay Harris 38 Posted 18/07/2025 at 17:11:31

What's more worrying than the lack of incomings is the quality of players we are being associated with.

There isn't one player that you would say "wow" too.

Martin Berry 39 Posted 18/07/2025 at 17:16:43

Strange one about Kyle Walker-Peters going to West Ham rather than us, but there again maybe we weren't interested, which again is strange as he can cover left- as well as right-back, two players in one, which you thought would have been ideal in our predicament?

Maybe we will suddenly have the new signings stacked up and have one revealed each day for a week.

Okay, I fantasize… but we all know we have to get the business done asap as, to hit the ground running for when the season starts, we don't want to be playing catch up.

Danny O'Neill 40 Posted 18/07/2025 at 17:19:34

Martin @39, read previous.

He's from London. Grew up in London. The moment a London club was in for him, it would probably have swayed his decision and undoubtedly been a factor.

Ashley Roberts 41 Posted 18/07/2025 at 17:36:01

We need quality and not quantity to be able to push up the league which then will hopefully attract some of the top professionals to the club as we would be playing in Europe. If we keep signing has-beens, we will never progress.

The top clubs just mop up all the talent which leaves clubs like us picking up the scraps. Hence we need a much better youth policy and then we can hopefully hang onto the Rooneys of this world.

Dale Self 42 Posted 18/07/2025 at 17:57:45

With all due respect to those worrying, this may be a market effect rather than a reflection on Everton's efforts to sign players.

With Forest, Newcastle, and to some extent Bournemouth, threatening the top positions in the Premier League, there are more teams considering ambitious transfer plans. Germany and Spain also have packs of smaller clubs chasing top positions, while Italy have largely shuffled the top except for Bologna.

This, along with our need to not bring troubled talent into a small squad, means we will not be quick to pen and paper unless the long term interests line up well, as with Barry.

In my unlearned opinion on transfers, it is actually a good approach to rebuilding the core of a competitive squad. Players who need to reestablish themselves or push on to the next level will see us as a reliable station. The troubled stars and payday players will gamble on London clubs and the like.

Rob Halligan 43 Posted 18/07/2025 at 18:05:15

Liam,

John Bishop is about as funny as having a red hot poker rammed up your japs eye!

Phil Roberts 44 Posted 18/07/2025 at 18:15:57

A few weeks ago, someone put the stats up about the goals conceded when Kyle Walker-Peters was in the Southampton team in the last 3 years.

Dithering is probably less the reason than the stats.

Brian Denton 45 Posted 18/07/2025 at 18:16:35

Rammeddown in my case Rob, fnarr fnarr...

Ian Bennett 46 Posted 18/07/2025 at 18:35:50

Walker-Peters to West Ham is a strange move.

He isn't getting ahead of Bissaka or new left-back Diouf, or Emerson.

Pete Neilson 47 Posted 18/07/2025 at 18:36:14

According to The Bobble “Everton are to add a further game to their pre-season schedule.

A behind-closed-doors friendly is to take place against Port Vale at the club's new Hill Dickinson Stadium.”

Grant Rorrison 48 Posted 18/07/2025 at 19:11:49

Pete 47.

As long as Ian Bogie isn't playing.

Ben King 49 Posted 18/07/2025 at 19:21:43

Danny #37,

Obviously no Evertonian cares about what West Ham do: it's only in relation to Everton and if it affects us.

Surely that's 100% obvious??

Tony Abrahams 50 Posted 18/07/2025 at 19:23:38

You can tell you’re very new when it comes to writing about the Toffees, Anjishnu, mate!

Sean Kelly 51 Posted 18/07/2025 at 19:23:50

I think we may used to the idea of some Sky spoofer outside Hill Dickinson Stadium with the lights off, telling us of some paperwork caught in the fax machine.

Last-minute deals is what we do to save wages for 2 months. Whether it's Dithering Davey or the ghost of the sly one, who knows… but there will be disappointment.

Dream on, fellow Evertonians; we apparently have the dosh but those with it have deep pockets and short arms.

Mike Gaynes 52 Posted 18/07/2025 at 19:35:20

Really, Sean? Is that why we just signed an exciting young striker for £27M and dished out a new 5-year contract for our star young centre-back instead of selling him as the previous regime probably would have?

Seems to me they're reaching for that dosh just fine.

Ben King 53 Posted 18/07/2025 at 19:55:54

Mike #52,

Some people are still amused by the standard boring old troupes.

Sean Kelly 54 Posted 18/07/2025 at 20:11:10

Yes, Mike, but we also let go nearly half a dozen players. We all know what we need and are grateful for getting Barry and Travers in the door.

We need to get a move on to get the players up to speed and not be starting the season with players missing a pre-season and only getting up to speed by October.

Roy Keane's “Fail to prepare; prepare to fail” comes to mind.

Tony Coles 55 Posted 18/07/2025 at 20:24:07

Who is this Myko everyone mentions is it the bang average fullback?...shortening the name doesn't make him any better

Bobby Mallon 56 Posted 18/07/2025 at 20:28:34

Just go out and buy these players. Why do we always t add me ages to get players in. Chelsea Arsenal the shite, identify and get we identify and then wait and wait and oh someone else bought them. Our first games a month away so if we are going to to bed new players in it should be in this month

Pete Neilson 57 Posted 18/07/2025 at 20:59:52

Grant (48) well remembered, unfortunately he was aptly named as far as we’re concerned.

Annika Herbert 58 Posted 18/07/2025 at 21:01:58

Tony @ 55, that would be the Myko who was part of one of the tightest defences in the premier league last year

Danny O'Neill 59 Posted 18/07/2025 at 21:10:38

Bobby @56, I think you have to put that into context mate.

The 3 clubs you mention are offering Champions League football and will be challenging for the title next season.

They naturally can do business quicker.

We will take more time convincing a player that Everton is a good move and it will require negotiation.

Tony @55, Mykolenko really improved in the second half of last season, especially going forward, which had been lacking from his game previously.

The lobbed cross in the derby that led to Tarkowski's equaliser. His goal from inside the box against Fulham and his cross for Alcaraz to nod home against Newcastle.

Robert Tressell 60 Posted 18/07/2025 at 21:40:14

If Ryan's link to the Independent is correct and we have a budget of £150m - then we've already spent £45m (ish) of that on Barry, Alcaraz and Travers - with roughly £100m left to spend.

What could we get with that?

Hutchinson - £35m ishMcAtee - £25m ishWesley - £22m ishSoucek - £12m ishCoufal - free

That sort of spending would give us a hell of a lift - with 5 players of real youth / quality who could form the basis of a really good team for the next 10 years. In addition, Premier League experience in Travers, Soucek and Coufal to provide cover at low cost.

We still wouldn't have two players for every position, but we'd just about have enough. Other positions could be addressed in future windows.

Stu Darlington 61 Posted 18/07/2025 at 22:29:36

Like those 5 Robert.Midfield is where most games are won or lost and these would give us a nicely balanced unit,tough, creative and competitive.We cannot go out and buy 5 or 6 top drawer players, so signings like Souceck and Coufal are inevitable to do a job for us in the short run.Souceck is not a bad shout for me.He’s a big unit,gives 100%,takes no prisoners and chips in with the odd goal.Not top drawer, but we could do a lot worse.

Gavin Johnson 62 Posted 18/07/2025 at 22:34:48

I'd like us to bring in Kubo, McAtee, Wesley, Ivanovic from Millwall as the third striker with Chermiti loaned, and Douglas Luiz on a loan with an obligation to buy the following summer.

If we have a £150m budget and have spent £45m so far, we could do that and would be transformed into a top half side.

Steve O’Shaughnessy 63 Posted 18/07/2025 at 22:43:05

Pep was pretty vocal about having a group of 21 to 23 senior players I think. Keeping all the other fringe players happy would be an issue.

I can see us getting maybe 3 players in and hoping that we go ok with injuries. I can't see Moyes leaving O'Brien or Tarkowski on the bench if they're fit which makes me think that a starting full-back wouldn't be top priority. Similarly, if Garner and Gana are fit they start with Iroegbunam and Harrison as back-up.

Again, if they're all fit then Ndiaye, Alcaraz and McNeil probably start. I think we are looking at squad players that can contribute rather than starters. It's a risk to have a small squad but I can see it happening.

We won't be playing much more than the 40 games this season most likely (I would love a cup run of course). I can see us getting a few more.

Another midfielder (depending on how ready Moyes feels Harrison is) and an attacking option that can play either side... any of Ndiaye, Alcaraz and McNeil can play the central role if needed.

I suspect the club are looking for versatile options to fill in the gaps where needed. The recruitment so far looks sensible and measured to me.

Si Pulford 64 Posted 18/07/2025 at 23:58:25

Mike (22) are there any of the players we've let go you would have kept? Not for me.

Getting rid or letting them go was the right thing to do. Included in that list was two keepers that barely played and the likes of Holgate who was out on loan anyway.

The only players getting regular minutes were Doucoure and Young. Both of whom were much maligned.

There's a month left of the window. So far our business has been the best outside the Champions League clubs. We will sign more players, don't worry about that.

Letting absolute dross on high wages go is what we absolutely should be doing. Doing due diligence and taking our time on who we sign to make us a better team is also what we should be doing. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

You can't have the argument both ways. You say they've already got a squad and their objective is to maintain or improve it.

Well, Brentford are in the process of gutting their club. Not maintaining and certainly not improving it. But you're still using them as a stick to beat us with.

Tommy Carter 65 Posted 19/07/2025 at 00:32:33

I've said it a billion times.

Spend £500M signing the best 5-6 achievable talents in the world and take a 9-point hit in a few years.

We took a points deduction when we were down and out and for signing utter dross.

Sign some big hitters now and if we start qualifying for Champions League we may not even breach PSR.

Or do what Newcastle intend on doing. Sign someone for ridiculous money (Isak) and then sell him on for almost double that ridiculous money.

Put it this way: if you sign Soucek for £10M, that's a cast-iron £10M loss.

If you sign a midfielder for £60M and are forced to sell him in 18 months time because he's so good for £70M, that's £10M profit.

Eric Myles 68 Posted 19/07/2025 at 01:39:39

Stu #61, I can already hear the screams of Davey buying old favourites / Hammer cast offs instead of young fresh talent.

Eric Myles 69 Posted 19/07/2025 at 01:45:05

Tommy #67, 'cos the Premier League have committed to looking at PSR breaches in the season they happen?

Although accounts are a year late so there is a delay unless they apply a points deduction retrospectively.

Oh, and that commitment only applies to Everton, by the way.

Paul Kernot 70 Posted 19/07/2025 at 02:06:09

I think Man Utd have demonstrated very well, Tommy, that it isn't that simple.

Sean Bennett 71 Posted 19/07/2025 at 03:46:28

We definitely have priorities in other positions as we've also got Nathan Patterson and Seamus Coleman (who are both injury prone). Kubo, Grealish and McAtee should be the main priorities. I would go in with a double swoop on Man City, taking Grealish and McAtee, £60M for them both.

Apparently, the Kubo fee I've seen is €30M. Douglas Luiz in the middle. Go back the Argentine left-back; I don't see why the media are suggesting he was on big wages — €70k a week. I believe Ndiaye is pissed-off regarding us being linked with Jacob Ramsey.

Tommy Carter 72 Posted 19/07/2025 at 06:54:11

Paul @70,

Of course it isn't, Paul. But signing players like Tomas Soucek takes us absolutely nowhere.

Moyes always hid behind money being the thing that stopped him bringing any success to Everton prior to 2013.

Steve Shave 73 Posted 19/07/2025 at 06:59:09

Jay @38 the reason we aren't signing players anyone would say “wow” about is because a) we can't afford those players and more importantly b) they wouldn't want to come to us, they go to bigger and better teams.

I also find it strange we weren't more heavily linked with Kyle Walker-Peters and felt he would have improved us whilst being on a free. I would be disappointed with Coufal, I keep hoping there are legs in the Wesley links.

Luiz in the middle (loan, obligation to buy) to play alongside Gana. Wesley, Tagliafigo on a free and Diallo or Dibling (though these two would seriously stretch the budget at £40M). That is my top budget, gettable wish-list.

Danny O'Neill 74 Posted 19/07/2025 at 07:13:50

Eric, it's why I took time earlier in the thread to point out that we have a core of players (7), who's average age works out at 23.

Then we have experience in Pickford, Tarkowski and Gana. There is nothing wrong with a bit of experience. Those 3 were very important to us in recent seasons.

Whether we are going to sign Soucek or it is just lazy journalism, will be seen. I wouldn't be overwhelmed, but then I wouldn't be offended.

He's 30, not 40. He has more than a few seasons left in him.

Sean @72, your list seems to be based on if you were Everton manager for a day, which is fair enough. We don't know if they are Moyes' priorities or targets.

Probably the only one I've seen with tentative decent links is McAtee and that's more that he is probably going to leave City. But there will no doubt be competition, and likely from clubs offering European football.

I take no pleasure in saying it, but our best hopes would be that he is a northwest home boy (Salford born) and he can be convinced by the club's ambition. Otherwise the likes of Villa and Tottenham could be in the mix.

Jerome Shields 75 Posted 19/07/2025 at 07:36:41

It will be out-of-contract players or loaners. Maybe one signing on delayed payments. It will be last-minute and Everton may or may not get their man.There is no way 6 players are going to be signed. It will probably be someone Moyes has experience off.

I would like to see a youthful squad developed like Chelsea., but Moyes is a long way off Maresca, who is showing Arteta a clean pair of heels.

Danny O'Neill 76 Posted 19/07/2025 at 08:06:09

Then again, Jerome, in addition to what I've already pointed out about having a very good core of young players, we have signed a 22-year-old forward prospect and a young backup keeper (yes, 26 is young for a keeper).

I don't get concerned with sprinkling a bit of experience around the younger players. They learn from it. Branthwaite and O'Brien benefited from playing with Tarkowski. Likewise, Jimmy Garner alongside Gana.

We have done it to good effect over the years. Andy Gray, Paul Power, more recently Gareth Barry. There are probably more examples.

It's not like we're in the Walter Smith days of signing not just ageing, but broken players.

Sam Hoare 77 Posted 19/07/2025 at 08:46:13

In terms of an approach to experience vs youth I don't think it should be rocket science to emulate the likes of Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth.

Brighton spent the vast majority of their money on younger players with resale value like Joao Pedro, Baleba, Estupinan, Caciedo, Cucurella, Rutter, Minteh, Wieffer, O'Riley, Tzimas etc but then they also bring in a handful of experienced players on freebies or cheap deals like Welbeck, Veltman, Milner as well as some academy mainstays like Dunk and Solly March.

A sprinkling of experience is important but ideally you want to be spending the majority of your money on players with potential.

Danny O'Neill 78 Posted 19/07/2025 at 09:11:30

Sam @79.

Brentford and Brighton have been good models over the past few seasons.

We talk about glass ceilings and I wonder if those clubs, along with Bournemouth, have hit theirs?

With Brentford currently being the closest Premier League club to where I presently live, I know a couple of local Bees supporters in amongst the mainly Chelsea ones around here.

They are really concerned with the departure of Thomas Frank and probably loss of a few key players.

I know the club is well run, but Frank has been very fundamental to their rise on the pitch. It will be interesting to see how they go under a different head coach. I hope not, but I can see them struggling next season.

Ray Robinson 79 Posted 19/07/2025 at 09:29:42

Yes, Danny, people suggest that Brighton and Brentford have good models but it’s only true as far as recruitment is concerned. If you buy low and sell high, eventually you run out of quality recruits to replace those being sold. You end up like Southampton being relegated.

Much though I admire Brighton and Brentford for the way they unearth and polish rough diamonds, I’d hate to support a team where you know the owners will sell their assets at the earliest opportunity just to make a quick buck. This shows the club is being run as a money making business rather than a club with ambition.

Emulate the recruitment model by all means, but hang on to the crown jewels (Branthwaite) where possible.

Having said all that it’s difficult when you’ve got the “big” clubs hovering, looking to asset strip.

My prediction is that Brighton will get relegated within the next 5 years. Brentford may well go that way sooner.

Iain Johnston 80 Posted 19/07/2025 at 10:01:14

Great! follow the Brighton, Brentford & Bournemouth model? No thank you.

Finish in the top 10 one year then mid to lower table the next as the club sells the best players. The only 'success' in this is filling the owner's bank account.

We are Everton — not a Premier League pretender.

Steve Brown 81 Posted 19/07/2025 at 10:07:51

Brentford, Bournemouth and Brighton are very well run clubs.

Their recruitment and transfer policy allows them to remain in the Premier League when commercially they shouldn't be near it.

They are not the model for us. A better comparison is Aston Villa.

Robert Tressell 82 Posted 19/07/2025 at 10:43:30

But what is this Brentford, Brighton and Bournemouth model?

1. use of sister clubs (as per Brighton) - also used by Man City with Troyes, Girona and others (which is how they developed Savinho).

2. heavy youth player (i.e. under 17s) acquisitions - very much used by City, Chelsea and the RS amongst others.

3. heavy use of the loan market to develop players - again, yes, all of the big boys do this. Villa, for example, had something like 25 players out on loan last year.

4. sell to buy (as per Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth) - very much used by City and the RS for example - the former has generated getting on for £500m in youth player sales. Link The RS make a nice tidy profit too on a long list of players too. Both clubs (as per many others) buy youth players with no expectation they will play for the first team - they are just grooming them for sale.

5. hunting for value in lower cost markets (some overseas, some close to home) - again, yes, look at Man City and the use of low cost markets of late - Nypan from Norway, Echeverri from Argentina etc etc (it's a long list).

6. use of data analytics as per Brighton - yes this is what transformed the RS when Klopp was persuaded to adopt it - and their recruitment has since gone up a notch. As per pretty much every successful club these days.

None of these clubs' models are identical. But doing something along the lines of a "Brighton" is not a small club thing to do - it's a big club thing to do. It is the only way to manage your own precious resources effectively and build up a stable of high quality players over a sustained period without hitting PSR or financial buffers.

One club who has not embraced this is Man Utd and their fortunes has dwindled significantly as a result.

Villa meanwhile have done some of the "Brighton" (and also Man City) style business but also gambled - and look set to have a very difficult summer and a difficult short term future as a result.

So I don't think we should be at all concerned about following the Brighton model - because it's just a lower cost version (in many respects) of how City, Chelsea, the RS and Arsenal etc etc are running their operations.

Danny O'Neill 83 Posted 19/07/2025 at 10:53:37

Villa is a better comparison to Everton, Steve, in terms of history and stature as well as experiencing ups and down, theirs probably worse than ours.

They also did a really good job on the redevelopment of Villa Park, although it is currently limited to a 43,000 capacity. They do however have plans to increase to around 50,000 with the redevelopment of one of the stands.

Tommy Carter 84 Posted 19/07/2025 at 11:10:43

Liverpool as a city has a track record of producing a batch of international class footballers every decade. It has a track record of producing potentially world class footballers every generation.

Identifying these players and making them Everton players will be the key to any success. Nearly all successful football teams in Europe as far back as ever have always had a core of local players.

That's why teams such as Liverpool, Manchester Utd, Barcelona, Milan, Ajax, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Juventus etc etc always will be successful.

In the 90s, Liverpool got well ahead of us in terms of recruiting local talent. I would argue we potentially got ahead of them a decade or so later.

We need to make this the cornerstone of our football club. Incentivise the best young scousers to play for our club and make them want to stay.

Paul Tran 85 Posted 19/07/2025 at 11:17:21

Why does anyone give a Donald about players we are or aren't 'associated with'?

My Google feed is full of the guesswork articles by 'news' websites, before they're cut & pasted onto here.

No Champions League, no European football, no recent success puts us down many players' lists. We can tell them about our potential, new stadium, the fact they'd have more chance of getting a game (and showcase for their next move) here.

I say it every summer. Ignore the clickbait sites. Will we have a better squad at the start of the season and end of the transfer window? That's the question. Let's see who they come up with.

Ray Robinson 86 Posted 19/07/2025 at 11:24:41

Some very good points, Robert, but the differences between Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford and the big clubs is that the latter do not have to – or choose not to – sell all the players that they have developed. If they're any good, they keep them.

Brighton, for instance would have sold Salah, Van Dijk, Branthwaite etc purely to maximise profit. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Man City can nurture talent and then choose whether or not to sell them.

Chelsea do it to excess such that it's basically player trafficking. But all the clubs know that they can spend £100M on a proven player.

It seems to me that Brighton just nurture talent for financial gain and have no real ambition – other than just an odd cup run. You can't go on selling the best talent and hope to succeed or even survive long term.

Danny O'Neill 87 Posted 19/07/2025 at 11:34:12

Tommy @84,

You are accurate in that. I am a big believer in the City of Liverpool being a hotbed of footballing talent.

I am always cautious about use of the phrase World Class. That is reserved for very few players in my view.

What you say is correct, however those local players, many of them boyhood Evertonians, who played for Liverpool in the 90s, were part of one the most average Liverpool teams I've seen in-between their 70s-80s domination and more recent success. I think they won an FA Cup and League Cup in that period.

Bayern are an interesting one. A lot of their academy players are poached from other German clubs or the likes of Croatia, so not all home grown Bavarians. Their success has largely been built through big transfers.

Ajax and Schalke have had great academies over the years, mostly populated with local players from Amsterdam and Gelsenkirchen.

But they used them as cash cows. Ajax, sacrificed their previous European success, Schalke went a step too far and ended up tier 2 of German football as the well dried up.

Sam Hoare 88 Posted 19/07/2025 at 11:42:39

Iain @80, we are indeed Everton. We have been mired in relegation battles for the last few years. We have a weak squad. History doesn't entitle you to anything, I'm afraid.

Right now, Brentford, Brighton and Bournemouth are ahead of us. Perhaps Brentford may struggle this season without Frank and Mbuemo, perhaps not.

Ultimately out aim may be to outstrip all of these clubs but the first step is catching up.

We clearly cannot go straight to the level of Man City or Arsenal or probably even Villa. We have to start by building the value of the squad and getting ourselves up the table. That means following the approach of spending primarily on young talent with potential and a smattering of experience where needed.

Robert Tressell 89 Posted 19/07/2025 at 11:44:01

Ray # 86, I think you're conflating two different things.

The model (ie, the way of assembling a high quality squad) is more or less the same regardless of the size of club. It is something along the 6 principles I said earlier.

Whether you can then hang onto your best players is a different point and depends on bargaining power / commercial revenue etc.

Since we should soon be richer than Brighton, Bournemouth and Brentford – we should be able to hold onto our best players for longer, giving us more stability and a better chance of success.

However, there will still be a tier of richer clubs above us with bigger commercial revenues – and we will be vulnerable to having our best players taken from us now and again.

But that doesn't change the fact that the model is the right one. If there's any of those 6 principles we shouldn't be following then I'd be really interested to know why it's not for us?

Ray Robinson 90 Posted 19/07/2025 at 11:54:46

Point 4 Robert. Sell to buy. If we adopted that one, we'd have sold Branthwaite.

I'd like to think that, if we buy emerging talent, that we'd do our utmost to keep it. Sell if we have to for survival (Rooney) or PSR reasons (Gordon) but not purely for financial gain.

I'm uncertain what Brighton's motives are. Progression, survival or maximising financial gain?

Tony Abrahams 91 Posted 19/07/2025 at 12:01:13

I agree with Tommy and Danny, but would like to add that we should also spend more money on recruiting the best coaches to teach our younger players.

I remember Andy Murray won Wimbledon, and reading about the difference in pay between the coaches who coached the English and Polish tennis players that year.

Murray was the success story, but he was the only real one, which didn't stop the English coaches earning 500% more than their Polish counterparts even though the Poles had four different players who reached the last eight.

Robert Tressell 92 Posted 19/07/2025 at 12:05:29

Ray # 90 - there are a few versions of buy to sell.

As I said in the original post, the RS and City both buy to sell very heavily. They buy a high volume of youth players and sell them for profit. City to the tune of near £500m (as the link I included). This enables them to keep spending on the first team.

I know you mean buy to sell in first team terms.

But whether we sell top quality first teamers is not down to a model - it is determined by our financials. If the takeover had not gone through we would have had to sell Branthwaite (as per Gordon, Richarlison, Onana etc in recent years).

Keeping Branthwaite was enabled by TFG's financial clout, not by our "model" (we don't really have a model right now as we've been living hand to mouth for nearly 5 years).

Until we get rich we will have to sell our best players at some point, whatever model we adopt. So it seems to make sense to adopt a model which allows us to replace those we sell more effectively, because we will sell at some point if the players become exceptional enough to attract offers from current Champions League royalty.

Which is no different to the RS a few years ago who were forced to sell their best players in Coutinho and Suarez - but their bargaining power / financial position meant they could hang onto them for longer and sell them at a higher price than might otherwise have been the case.

John Flood 94 Posted 19/07/2025 at 12:31:27

Tony (91) ,

I don't think Andy Murray would appreciate being referred to as English!

UK yes, but Andy is a proud Scot and definitely not English.

Tony Abrahams 97 Posted 19/07/2025 at 12:59:39

British when he wins and Scottish when he loses, John.

The Polish coaches only got paid 20% of their British counterparts, even though they had a much better overall success rate.

Ray Robinson 98 Posted 19/07/2025 at 13:06:43

Okay Robert #92. If it helps clear things up.

I do not want our policy, whatever it may become, to be one where we just sell players to extract maximum profit. Which to be fair, appears to be the “everyone is for sale” one that Brighton seem to have adopted. Sooner or later that goes belly up.

There again, their owner is a high-stakes poker player! I do not want to support a business enterprise, I want a club with ambition. Hopefully, TSG see it that way too.

Christy Ring 100 Posted 19/07/2025 at 13:08:49

I see where Harrison is starting for Leeds today, hopefully that’s where he’ll stay.

Jerome Shields 101 Posted 19/07/2025 at 13:23:59

Danny #78

That core of 7 players is progress, with Barry as a new signing. Moyes will be more orientated to a core of experienced players.

Maresca has been bobbing about the Premier League relying on a core of young players. They blew hot and cold, but eventually got it together. Other young players have been recently added. Moyes will want mid-table security and then to challenge.

The difference is building for the future to challenge, against staying mid-table and progressing one to three places above that. If Moyes had've signed Delap, he would not have been on the bench.

Robert Tressell 102 Posted 19/07/2025 at 13:34:14

Yes indeed Ray # 98. What I want for the club is titles, trophies and champions league runs etc. We won't get there without assembling and hopefully keeping an exceptional group of players.

Which is why I thought aiming to follow the Villa route was a bit of a peculiar idea because of the richest 8 clubs they have achieved the least - and things are now in danger of falling apart there. I'd rather set my sights higher.

Mike Allison 103 Posted 19/07/2025 at 13:56:00

I didn’t think anyone wanted our policy to be selling players for maximum profit. The policy is to buy low, sell high. Selling one enables you to buy 3-4 and you end up with more depth. It’s a long game but the only sustainable one.

The difference with us vs Brighton is that they’re as good right now as they can ever be, whereas we can be a team that is right at the top if we get things right. I believe people call it a ‘higher ceiling’.

If a small club like Chelsea can be world champions, there’s nothing we can’t do.

Mark Boullé 104 Posted 19/07/2025 at 13:56:57

I think what concerns me, still, is how long we seem to need to get each single deal done. Admittedly Travers was quicker than usual, but it took forever to get Thierno Barry over the line. Even though, I'm sure, work is ongoing on multiple potential acquisitions, the "feeling" is Everton can only manage one at once.

Contrast with the promoted sides, Sunderland and Leeds in particular, who appear able to conclude multiple signings simultaneously - I don't know if the players they are buying are good enough, but they are signing unheralded (to me at least) players from good European leagues, for not insane prices, and quickly.

I understand it's not easy, that we still have to be financially watchful and that some of our new recruitment structure haven't started work yet. I don't expect the full squad revamp to take place in this window, but if we don't have at least a RW, CM, RB and LB in by early August, we will start the season undermanned, one or two injuries away from horrible square pegs in round holes again, and playing catch up on the rest of the league once more.

Danny O'Neill 105 Posted 19/07/2025 at 13:57:28

I'd rather we aim to go faster. If we keep waiting 5 years, we'll always be waiting 5 years.

The slow build can go on in the the background.

But nothing breeds success than success. Then you build on it from a stronger position.

Mike Allison 106 Posted 19/07/2025 at 14:02:18

Mark, every club’s fans think that. I feel like we have this conversation every year.

You follow the Everton transfers from click bait rumours to complete deal and are impatient to have it finalised. Therefore it feels to you like it takes a long time.

You have no idea what Leeds or Sunderland are up to until it’s announced, so it seems to you to have been done quickly out of nowhere.

Meanwhile their fans are annoyed how long it has taken to get Sean Longstaff over the line, whilst wishing they could get things done quickly, like Everton did with that French lad they’ve just signed out of nowhere…

Grant Rorrison 107 Posted 19/07/2025 at 14:03:28

Mike 103. Why do you consider Chelsea a 'small club' ? What is this weird mentality that exists amongst Everton fans that success is only relevant and determinant of size and stature if it exists in the distant past rather than the present?

Ray Roche 108 Posted 19/07/2025 at 14:10:54

Grant, out of interest, before what date do you consider football honours irrelevant?

Mark Boullé 109 Posted 19/07/2025 at 14:25:34

Mike #106

Stop being logical, don't let facts get in the way of my imagined rant 😅

Grant Rorrison 110 Posted 19/07/2025 at 14:28:23

Ray 108. Football honours are irrelevant as soon as you win them. You parade the trophy and then you get on with winning the next thing. Clinging on to the past is why Everton are shit and why they have fans making bizarre claims about the biggest club in London being a 'small club'.

Robert Tressell 111 Posted 19/07/2025 at 14:39:49

Danny # 105

I don't really get that perspective.

If we build up to having a very high quality squad in 5 years then why wouldn't we get there? It seems eminently possible after all - even the 14 year old GK we've just bought from the RS for £200k could be making his debut in 5 years. Had we built for the long term with the initial Moshiri spending then we can at least expect to be where Newcastle and Villa have reached recently as a minimum.

That then gives you the success to breed from, as you put it.

I'm not sure how you expect us to achieve success without having a very good team in the first place. Perhaps we are supposed to assemble a fine side simply by spending this summer's kitty wisely. That, I am afraid, is more along the lines of alchemy than reality.

There are bargains to be had out there - but it is impossible to "beat the market" with every single purchase you make - somehow buying a ready-made Champions League quality player for well below the normal price of a Champions League quality player.

Different perspectives Robert. You know I respect your views and your meticulous detail on players I've often heard nothing about. But on this subject, we differ.

5 years is a long time. We can go quicker whilst building behind the scenes.

We didn't wait for no-one in the dark days of 1983 and literally turned it around in a month. And only the tragic events of 1985 prevented that side from establishing itself as one of Europe's greats.

I keep saying, we're not going back to the reckless Moshiri days. The owners won't allow it. I always get your point about the best spend hundreds of millions.

We can't and won't do that right now, but we can invest wisely and shrewdly. As I keep saying, how you spend, not what you spend. But there has to be a balance and a focus on now.

We lost key players and couldn't attract those good enough to replace them, even though we won a 2nd league title, nearly a 3rd.

Wait 5 years and others will overtake or those that used to sit below us move further away.

We have the core of a very good team. It just needs those additions we have all done to death on here and we will be competing again.

I just don't see where the reticence and fear is. Be brave and bold and do it sooner rather than in 5 years.

Ray Roche 114 Posted 19/07/2025 at 15:44:10

Thanks for the reply Grant, interesting perspective, and one it’s difficult to argue against. Especially when you’ve the square root of sod all for thirty year.

Robert Tressell 115 Posted 19/07/2025 at 16:01:40

Jake, I am talking about returning to the top echelons of the Premier League - I agree that we should be competing for Europe and cups in the meantime.

But starting from a position where we have the smallest squad in the Premier League by some distance - with a squad currently rated by Transfermarkt as 17th (but closer to Leeds and Burnley in 18th and 19th than Wolves in 16th) - doesn't scream quick turnaround.

That is very different to the position Forest started from last season - with a very big squad and heavy year on year spending.

I know that is disappointing - and I know it would be nice to believe we can buy a few free transfers, loans and a rejuvenate a few faded stars like, say, Grealish and Luiz, but we would have to have incredible luck to do that. I'd rather put in place a good strategy to build up an exceptional squad as soon as possible (even if it takes a few years) - rather than rely on luck.

Danny @ 112,

I think the difference in perspective is between those of us who have seen success (and know what it took to achieve it), and supporters who have not seen us win trophies. I admire the latter supporters a lot, and they include my two sons.

I agree that waiting more 5 years for a trophy is not acceptable. If our fans have not witnessed us winning trophies, the years of waiting is most unfair on you all. The club doesn’t deserve 5 more years of your patience.

We need and expect success in the next 2-3 years.