Ben Doak of Middlesbrough applauds the fans after a Sky Bet Championship match
Ben Doak of Middlesbrough applauds the fans after a Sky Bet Championship match
(Image: Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)
It's set to be one of the most transformative summers in Everton history as the club undergoes major changes both on and off the pitch. The men's team have played their last ever match at Goodison Park and under new owners, The Friedkin Group, David Moyes leads them into a new era at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Scot faces a busy transfer window as he reshapes a squad that has already seen several senior stars either leave on a free transfer or have their loan spells ended. Other players remain locked in negotiations to secure their future.
Everton were on Saturday given a boost by the permanent signing of Carlos Alcaraz on a two-year deal from Flamengo after a successful loan stint. His £12.6million capture represents the first permanent signing under The Friedkin Group and he won't be the last.
READ MORE: Everton to install another game-changing service at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Here the ECHO looks at what the Toffees could do in the coming months:
Contract signing follows Carlos Alcaraz news
With Carlos Alcaraz making Everton his permanent home for the next two years, David Moyes will be hopeful of more positive news with confirmation of Idrissa Gueye's new contract believed to be imminent.
The Blues have been negotiating to extend the 35-year-old's stay at the club following an excellent season that saw the Senegal international scoop Everton's Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year awards. And Gueye teased fans on social media with the news he's set to stay.
More in doubt is Dominic Calvert-Lewin's next move, with the 28-year-old another whose contract expires this summer. Everton did offer the striker a new deal but with no agreement reached, it currently looks likely that he will move on.
Everton are in desperate need of a forward, however, after Liam Delap appeared to choose Chelsea after interest from the Toffees and other clubs.
Michael Keane is another player set to become a free agent and is fielding interest from several suitors, although Moyes remains a fan of the former Burnley star.
Championship transfers could prove effective
During his first spell at the club, Moyes found much success in the transfer market when dipping into the lower leagues and the Championship in particular.
Tim Cahill, Phil Jagielka and John Stones were all standout signings from England's second tier and it's a market the Scot is likely to be monitoring as he considers targets this summer.
Chris Rigg is a player Everton have tracked but Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League could scupper any move for the 17-year-old starlet.
Yet there are other stars from the division who Moyes could turn to. Jobe Bellingham, brother of Real Madrid's Jude, is said to be considering his next move despite helping Sunderland to promotion and could find the perfect home to continue his progress at Everton.
Coventry's right-back Milan van Ewijk has been linked with the Toffees, Brazilian midfielder Gustavo Hamer has impressed with beaten play-off finalists Sheffield United, while Liverpool's Ben Doak, who spent last season on loan with Middlesbrough, is a player Moyes admires.
Options considered as Everton hold firm on Branthwaite
Moyes is hopeful of adding goals to his team this summer and, having missed out on Delap, will carefully consider where Everton look next to strengthen their forward line.
There are more realistic options in central midfield, however, with Chelsea’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Newcastle's Sean Longstaff both courted by Moyes previously.
West Ham United's Tomas Soucek is a player Moyes knows well, but Everton have not made a move to sign the Czechia international at this stage. A move for James Ward-Prowse is not under consideration.
Despite a high number of departures at this stage, Everton will need to hold firm to prevent any major stars leaving the club this summer. Jarrad Branthwaite was subject to three transfer bids from Manchester United last summer, but their offers were seen as disrespectful for a player rated highly by the Blues.
Chelsea are now said to be following Branthwaite with interest, yet Everton and The Friedkin Group after in a much better position with regards to PSR obligations and will therefore hope to stand firm this summer.