James McAtee celebrates his goal during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship quarter-final between England and Spain on June 21, 2025 in Trnava, Slovakia
James McAtee celebrates his goal during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship quarter-final between England and Spain on June 21, 2025 in Trnava, Slovakia
Although they’re trying to seal a deal for out-of-contract Fulham player Kenny Tete, Everton’s only signing of the summer so far has been turning on-loan Carlos Alcaraz’s loan into a permanent switch.
However, with a significant overhaul of squad required, it promises to be a busy transfer window ahead of the move from Goodison Park to .
With that in mind, with every name linked to so far – and there have already been plenty – members of the ECHO sportsdesk were asked, who would really like the Blues to sign the most?
See below for who they have picked...
Chris Beesley
From the plethora of potential options mooted, there is one name that stands out from the crowd and that’s James McAtee.
It’s not just that he plays in a position where Everton are crying out for inspiration – as an attack-minded midfielder who can operate on the right wing – it’s the overall package.
Currently starring at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship for England as the Three Lions defend their crown under former Goodison fans’ favourite Lee Carsley, a player who himself served David Moyes so well, McAtee is just the kind of young, hungry player who the Glaswegian loved to recruit during his first spell at Everton and had so much relative success in developing.
The 22-year-old from Walkden has been well-schooled at Manchester City’s now fabled academy, but like fellow graduates such as Cole Palmer, and Liam Delap – who the Blues have already tried to sign this summer before he chose Chelsea – he might have to move away from the Etihad Stadium to truly blossom.
McAtee has already put in the hard yards in a two-year loan spell at Sheffield United and along with that other former Blade Phil Jagielka plus the likes of Tim Cahill, Joleon Lescott and Leighton Baines first time around for Moyes, a move to Merseyside could ensure his career really takes off.
As his great-uncle, the legendary Alan Ball, famously declared: “Once Everton has touched you, nothing will be the same.”
Joe Thomas
So many names have been linked already. I am pleased with how Everton started the window, instinctively felt like a good fit and, at the price, was a no brainer.
Kenny Tete feels a sensible move at right-back. Yes, there are concerns over his fitness, but he is an upgrade on what the current squad has and, as a free agent, he offers a low-risk potential solution that would allow money and time to be focused elsewhere.
Of the attacking options, because there are still so many spots that need to be filled, I can see the merits of Thierno Barry and Nick Woltemade. Both would be exciting additions and Woltemade in particular looks a really intriguing player who could also offer Moyes some devilry from a slightly deeper role.
The priority positions for me are central midfield and right wing, they are the areas I would like to see Everton spend money and target quality.
Of the names that have been linked so far though, I am most enticed by James McAtee. The youngster looks a real talent and, with him captaining England’s Under-21s out in Slovakia right now, appears to have a mature head on his shoulders.
He would be a statement signing who could grow with the club’s ambitions. He would have a support network around him with Iliman Ndiaye, Dwight McNeil and Alcaraz and could be a genuine solution to the creative issues of recent years.
Just look at what other City academy graduates who have been forced to look elsewhere for minutes have achieved - the likes of Liam Delap and Cole Palmer. If McAtee could do something like that in Royal Blue then that would be wonderful.