David Moyes’ side must strengthen in the January transfer window to keep up their momentum
Of course, that will hinge on whether he’s allowed to further strengthen his squad in January with right back and striker particular positions of need.
Meanwhile Thierno Barry has flattered to deceive, but they’ve been covered by the way Moyes has turned around the careers of Jack Grealish, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Iliman Ndiaye and Jake O’Brien. So who could be next on that list as an Everton January signing?
Sanchez can be new Coleman at right-back
The plan on Merseyside still seems to be to return O’Brien to his natural position of centre-back, where he’s made just a quarter of his appearances in royal blue.
Aged only 22, the Sevilla youngster has already racked up 65 La Liga appearances and started this season as Matias Almeyda’s preferred option at right-back. Priced at €20 million (£17m), that could prove to be a bargain for a player who is still raw but has all the tools to become both a defensive lynchpin (he’s particularly strong at defending dribblers) and a key attacking asset.
And of course, O’Brien’s presence would mean Moyes could ease him into Premier League life rather than throwing him into the fire.
Mainoo can sprinkle stardust on Everton midfield
Mainoo is a microcosm of everything that’s gone wrong with Manchester United in the last two seasons - a player who started all of England’s knockout games in their run to the Euro 2024 final yet now hasn’t even been called up to a Three Lions squad in over a year.
Having just turned 19, Mainoo was named player of the match and scored as the Red Devils stunned Manchester City in the 2024 FA Cup final and looked set to be a future captain for his boyhood club yet Amorim’s steadfast refusal to adjust his system even slightly to fit the generational players at his disposal means Mainoo’s very future at Old Trafford is now in doubt.
Mainoo is simply too talented not to thrive and the environment Moyes has created at Everton would surely bring out the best in him while the 20-year-old’s presence on the ball could further enhance the Toffees’ ability to play quickly up the field and give Grealish and Ndiaye possession in space high up the pitch. It’s either that or he signs for Napoli and immediately becomes a Ballon d’Or contender…
Everton must avoid Man United trap at striker
It must’ve been pretty harrowing for Everton fans to see that the answer to their striker troubles could be signing Joshua Zirkzee on loan. The less said about that rumour the better, which means we can focus on the murmurs linking Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Having starred for Girona, Castellanos endured a difficult debut campaign at Lazio but bounced back in style in his sophomore season, notching 14 goals. And he’s carried that form into 2025/26 netting twice in six games, putting him well on course to hit double figures again if he stays fit this season.
Everton were chasing the 27-year-old this summer with the Serie A club closed to potential sales but they’ve reportedly now opened up bidding, aiming for £30m, and if he continues his strong Serie A form he’ll be well worth a punt by the Toffees whose owners want to make a splash in the next two transfer windows.
Everton 2026 starting XI if predictions come true: Pickford; Sanchez, O’Brien, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Mainoo, Garner; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Castellanos.
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