Everton fans cannot wait to see what happens in the first summer window under The Friedkin Group.
It has been a great start for the new owners following their takeover of the club in December.
Most of the work will truly start this summer, but TFG have done well with the appointment of David Moyes following the departure of Sean Dyche, which rather took them by surprise.
TFG were prepared to back Dyche a little while longer. But it was Dyche who apparently told The Friedkins he felt he’d taken Everton as far as he could.
That left the new owners feeling like he’d given up, but they moved quickly to get Moyes in – and it’s been an inspired appointment so far.
Everton are 17 points clear of the relegation zone and can think ahead to next season.
There will be a big turnover of players due to some being out of contract and some only being at the club on loan right now.
We’ve had a few links to new players so far, and one such player who’s on Everton’s radar is Rayan Cherki.
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But any summer pursuit may not be straightforward, thanks to Carlo Ancelotti.
Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid could move for Everton target Rayan Cherki
Photo by Vasile Mihai-Antonio - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Vasile Mihai-Antonio – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Ahead of the January transfer window, it was reported Everton were looking at Cherki, and also his Lyon teammate Ernest Nuamah.
The links have continued since the window closed, and it was suggested recently that Everton and Liverpool could battle for Cherki.
But according to SPORT, Real Madrid – managed by former Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, of course – are now also in the frame.
The publication claim that he ‘fulfills all the necessary requirements’ and further strengthen the club’s French contingent, which currently consists of Kylian Mbappé, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Cherki would be a serious statement by Everton
Real Madrid being interested in Cherki says it all.
This is a player whose stock is rising pretty rapidly, and someone who plenty of clubs will be looking at this summer.
He has dazzled for Lyon in 2024/25 in what has been a breakout season, scoring eight goals and supplying 18 assists in 34 appearances.
Rayan Cherki for Lyon in 2024/25
Appearances – 34
Minutes played – 2266
Goals – 8
Assists – 18
Cherki – an ‘exceptional dribbler’ according to French football expert Martin Mosnier (via TNT Sports) – plays the game in way that gets supporters out of their chairs, and he is someone that could really light up the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.
It would be a big statement from The Friedkin Group to get Cherki, and hopefully it can somehow happen, although it’ll be tough with the lure of Real Madrid and Ancelotti.