Everton added some real quality to their side over the summer, but they may have also dodged a real bullet in missing out on one West Ham star.
It has not been easy for the Toffees in recent weeks with David Moyes seeing his side only pick up one victory since August.
However, the foundations for a brighter future have been put in place by The Friedkin Group, who certainly put their money where their mouth is over the summer.
After a summer of signings, Moyes was delighted with Everton’s transfer activity despite seeing a number of targets missed out on.
The January transfer window is quickly creeping up on sides and Everton may well look to strengthen even further.
Everton are expected to target another striker in January, but there is one midfielder on their radar who may have played himself out of contention for a move to Merseyside.
Everton manager David Moyes.
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Everton dodged Tomas Soucek transfer after disastrous West Ham start
Over the summer, Moyes was keen to sign Tomas Soucek for Everton from his former club, having originally brought the midfielder to England.
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The Hammers chose to keep the Czech international around and that may well be a decision they are regretting.
Everton News understands that some West Ham chiefs were open to selling Soucek, but the decision was made to keep him.
Through the opening months of the 2025/26 campaign, Soucek has only made four starts for a struggling West Ham side who sit slumped in the bottom three.
Soucek 2025/26 Total
Appearances (starts) 5 (4)
Goals 0
Assists 0
It has been a damning indication of the midfielder’s lacklustre start to the new season.
However, it also marks a real bullet dodged for Everton, despite fans not yet seeing just what Merlin Rohl can offer them.
Rohl has impressed in Everton training, but Soucek’s displays alone are already showing the Blues to have benefitted from not landing one of their summer targets.
Soucek drops poor display against Brentford
Things did not get much better for the 30-year-old on Monday night when West Ham hosted Brentford.
The Hammers suffered yet another crushing home defeat at the London Stadium as they ended the latest round of fixtures in 19thspot.
Moyes was keen to push for a late move for Soucek in the summer, but any efforts seemingly fell flat ahead of deadline day.
However, the 62-year-old cannot be impressed with what he will have seen from his former player in these opening months of the season.
71 minutes played
18/31 successful passes
43 touches
14x possession lost
1/3 ground duels won
1 foul conceded
1x dribbled past
Everton finally look like a club on the up and missing out on Soucek may have proven a blessing in disguise for the Blues.