Work to build towards an historic first season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium is set to intensify
David Moyes applauds the Everton fans at the final whistle of the Premier League win at Newcastle United. Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images
David Moyes applauds the Everton fans at the final whistle of the Premier League win at Newcastle United. Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images
Everton have entered a new era in which its fortunes could be transformed. The beginning of July marks the start of a new football financial year and, with it, the club will step out of the shadow cast by the worst of the remaining PSR issues.
That does not mean Blues chiefs can spend with abandon - Everton learnt the hard way that sustainable progress requires patience and intelligent planning.
But the club does now have the regulatory headroom to build with more ambition and, in the Friedkin Group, owners that have the resources to provide stability and support to David Moyes and the newly-assembled leadership team around him.
Experience and sensible heads will be required as the club embarks on one of the most significant rebuilding projects of the Premier League era. The Blues begin July with just 14 senior first team players on the books after June 30 marked the severance of ties with more than a dozen players.
Work to add depth and quality is underway and could be boosted this week, with activity set to intensify as attention shifts to the upcoming season, the first at the stunning new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Progress is anticipated in the coming days, with confidence Idrissa Gueye will agree new terms to extend his second stint at the club. Deliberations have been protracted but there is a belief Moyes will be able to count on the 2024/25 player of the season when the new campaign begins next month.
Like Gueye, Michael Keane is technically no longer an Everton player but talks are taking place with the centre back over the potential for a new deal. The 32-year-old impressed Moyes with his performances when called upon at the end of the season and is seen as a trusted back-up in defence that, if retained, prevents the need to dedicate precious time and transfer budget on a replacement. Keane has had interest from elsewhere.
Moyes is keen for Everton to return to the loftier heights of his first stint and understands that to get there the club does need to show ambition.
A major statement of intent is understood to be imminent, with Jarrad Branthwaite expected to sign a new contract with the club. Keeping the 23-year-old from the advances of the Champions League clubs circling him - from England and in Europe - was a major priority and convincing him to commit deeper into his future is a major early summer success.
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While Branthwaite will benefit from terms that better reflect his central role in Moyes’ plans, there was no guarantee talks would advance as quickly as they have.
Investment in talent will not end with Branthwaite, with Everton keen to build around the defensive axis of the centre back, James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford.
Much of the focus will be on addressing the creative and goalscoring issues that have dogged the side.
The search for a new forward is on after the exit of Dominic Calvert-Lewin was confirmed and the club has progressed in talks with Villarreal over the young forward Thierno Barry.
Exploratory deliberations have been ongoing for a while now and the conclusion of the France Under-21s international’s involvement in the U21s Euros, and the opportunity presented by the start of a new financial year, means several major hurdles to a move have now been removed should Everton wish to intensify their pursuit of the striker.
The club could be set for one early blow, however. Talks with Kenny Tete, whose Fulham contract expired on Monday, looked set to bring an end to the Blues’ longstanding issues at right back but reports from London claim there is an increasing likelihood the 29-year-old will instead take up a fresh offer to stay at Craven Cottage.