AI listed Liam Delap, Jonathan David and Evan Ferguson as potential targets for David Moyes’ Everton rebuild
David Moyes’ message to the Everton board couldn’t have been clearer as he waved goodbye to Goodison Park for the final time: don’t rest on your laurels, now is the time to invest in the club and capitalise on the move to Bramley-Moore Dock.
“This club felt like, to me, one which was a big family, but looked broken, felt broken – and it doesn’t feel like that any more,” Moyes said.
“I hope the owners are recognising what they’re seeing today, as well, because this is to be built up, brought back and [we need to] get us back to where we belong and where we believe we should be.”
With both parents being promoted at work and the kid getting into the best school in the neighbourhood, it’s time for that family to start spending and sharpening the Toffees’ attack is Moyes’ main priority in the summer transfer market.
Star strikers were a hallmark of Moyes’ shoestring first stint at Everton whether it was Wayne Rooney, Andy Johnson, Yakubu, Louis Saha or Nikica Jelavic with physicality a top priority, while wingers and central midfielders are also on the shopping list.
Everton’s business last summer initially looked underwhelming with only Tim Iroegbunam starting in the opening-day hammering at home to Brighton. Yet Iliman Ndiaye has flourished under Moyes and Jake O’Brien has started all but one of Everton’s Premier League games since the Scot’s arrival after just two substitute appearances under Sean Dyche.
So I asked AI what Everton fans can expect from such a pivotal transfer window and which arrivals and departures will define the summer.
AI predicts high-profile striker to headline £110m Everton investment
AI listed “striker, winger, central midfielder, full-back and centre-back” as Moyes’ target positions this summer - suggesting it doesn’t really rate Everton’s current squad outside of Jordan Pickford, Joao Virginia and Asmir Begovic - but stressed physicality and goal-scoring ability as key attributes to search for.
While Everton are far from the only Premier League club hunting for a high-calibre number nine this summer with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea among those in the market, AI still predicts they’ll make a splash with Liam Delap, Jonathan David and Evan Ferguson listed as options.
Although it’s unlikely Delap and David will slip through the fingers of the Champions League clubs chasing them, Ferguson is a more realistic target and one that would fit the mould of Moyes’ previous work developing strikers.
The Everton boss is reportedly keen to work with the Irishman who AI would pay £40 million for, with that sum inflated by Ferguson’s contract tying him to Brighton until 2029. He’s a similar profile to Dominic Calvert-Lewin who Moyes had high hopes for but hasn’t been able to stay fit while Ferguson has had his fair share of injury troubles and more importantly lost his way on loan at the striker graveyard that is West Ham. A sum of £40m would be a gamble, one that could pay off handsomely for a player once valued at three times that figure.
AI highlighted some cheaper shopping on the wings with Ben Doak or Tom Fellows targets alongside fellow Championship player Marcus Edwards. The former Tottenham youth has spent the second half of this season on loan at Burnley who are obliged to buy him from Sporting for €10m (£8.4m), and the Clarets could be tempted by the opportunity to make instant profit if Moyes is determined to land the 26-year-old.
James Ward-Prowse and Chris Rigg would be AI’s top targets to strengthen Everton’s midfield, providing a useful blend of youth and experience. Moyes worked with the former Southampton captain at West Ham while 17-year-old Rigg is sought after by bigger clubs but would have a better route to regular game time on Merseyside as AI believes the pair could cost upwards of £50m.
AI predicts Doucoure and Calvert-Lewin lead departures
Part of the need for that double dip is the confirmed departure of Abdoulaye Doucoure, while AI also believes Idrissa Gana Gueye is another central midfielder potentially exiting the club.
Ashley Young is an obvious name moving on to pastures new, while AI listed Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia as certain to leave, meaning Jordan Pickford would be the only goalkeeper at the club if it was steering the ship.
Likewise, it’s booted out Michael Keane without offering a replacement centre-back so 2025/26 will apparently be another busy season for James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite, who AI elected not to sell.
That means no players are departing for a fee with Dominic Calvert-Lewin out of contract and Jack Harrison returning to Leeds, though that surely won’t cause any problems later down the line for Everton…
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