Looking ahead to 2026, Everton have reportedly joined the race to sign a former Real Madrid defender alongside a number of Premier League rivals.
David Moyed "thrilled" with Crystal Palace win
Without a win in four games in all competitions and heading into the Hill Dickinson to host a Crystal Palace side without a defeat in 19 games, Everton looked destined for an uphill battle on Sunday. The Eagles had just defeated the Premier League champions in Liverpool and were after another Merseyside scalp - taking the lead through Daniel Munoz.
From there, it seemed as though Everton were set to hand Palace the 20-game unbeaten run that they were after, only for the Hill Dickinson to get its most dramatic moment yet.
After equalising through Iliman Ndiaye in the final 15 minutes, the stage was set for someone to become a hero and that someone was Jack Grealish. The Manchester City loanee was perfectly placed to benefit from Munoz's clearance and simply deflected home to hand his side a 93rd-minute winner.
David Moyes, like every Everton fan inside the Hill Dickinson, was left "thrilled" by his side's dramatic comeback - telling reporters: “I'm thrilled with the three points, thrilled with the result.
"Mixed emotions on the performance. Not very good at all in the first half and could have been three down, but kept defending, kept stuck at it, showed a bit of resilience.
“I've been waiting on a late goal here. Aston Villa was 0-0, we couldn't quite get the winner against West Ham, so I was hoping we'd get one of them. Thankfully, we got it today.”
Having sealed the three points, Moyes' side now sit as high as eighth in the Premier League and providing an early marker to become shock contenders for a European place - something that should boost their transfer ambitions.
Everton join race to sign Mario Gila
According to The Boot Room, Everton have joined the race to sign Mario Gila from Lazio in 2026. The former Real Madrid defender has attracted interest from all around the Premier League, with Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth all joining Everton in the battle to secure his signature.
It's no real surprise that interest is rising in the 25-year-old, who has been one of few bright sparks in Maurizio Sarri's struggling Lazio side.
Former Lazio sporting director Igli Tare was also full of praise for the Spanish defender after signing him from Real Madrid, saying: "He is fast, intelligent and never puts a foot wrong. He can become one of the top 3-4 defenders in the world and it wouldn't surprise me if Real wanted him back."
Inter Milan's Mehdi Taremi in action with Lazio's Mario Gila
Considering concerns that Jarrad Branthwaite could still leave Everton, Gila wouldn't exactly be a bad signing to welcome in 2026. The Spaniard is at the peak of his powers and already has impressive experience under his belt.
It would be yet another ambitious move from The Friedkin Group, who'd be signing a former Real Madrid gem ahead of their rivals.