Merlin Rohl took the headlines of Everton’s transfer deadline day as David Moyes has an exciting new recruit.
The German signed on a loan deal from Freiburg as the Toffees finished with nine new arrivals this summer.
Moyes will know Everton missed out on the chance to sign a right-back, as that will be the one negative to take from the summer.
But overall, it was an excellent window for the Toffees, and to top it off with a ‘natural footballer’ in Rohl is a good way to end.
Looking at the structure of the deal for the German, there is an obligation to buy, and this is what the Blues must do this campaign.
Merlin Rohl speaking after Germany beat England in EURO U21s.
Photo by Charlotte Wilson – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Merlin Rohl will join Everton for £18m if relegation is avoided
A loan will take place this season at the Toffees, similar to Carlos Alcaraz’s structure before he joined permanently for £12.6m.
But a permanent deal looks nailed on, as it’s been confirmed that an £18m buy clause will be activated if Everton avoid relegation this season, as stated by Freiburg’s media.
Judging by Moyes’ side’s start to the season, it’s clear Rohl is very likely to sign on permanently.
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Rohl loves the evolution of Everton, and it seems like the midfielder is very keen to be a part of this exciting project.
However, the 23-year-old might find it difficult, as one player will be keeping him out of the team at the moment.
Merlin Rohl will struggle to beat James Garner in the Everton lineup
It has been made clear that Rohl’s best position is a ‘box-to-box midfielder’, but this doesn’t bode well for him after James Garner’s start.
Garner has been one of the standouts in the squad so far this season, and although Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have taken the headlines, he’s got the other central midfielder role nailed down at the moment alongside Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Gmaes played 3
Pass accuracy % 84.4%
Tackles won % 100%
Interceptions 5
Tackles won per 90 2.00
Touches per 90 67.33
James Garner’s statistics for Everton in 2025/26 Premier League season, as per FotMob
This isn’t a good look for Rohl, who will know he’ll have to work hard to replace the 24-year-old, as Garner is proving Everton fans wrong.
The German has a chance to prove himself, but the task won’t be easy for him at the Toffees.
However, one thing that looks certain to happen is Rohl signing on permanently, as Everton’s days of worrying about relegation are over.