Our Everton reporters look at what would constitute a dream window for the Toffees as they prepare for life at their new stadium
Jonathan David and Angel Gomes. (Photo by Alex Martin/FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Everton have got a busy transfer window ahead as returning manager David Moyes looks to build upon their 13th place finish in 2024/25 and lead the club from Goodison Park to a fresh dawn at Hill Dickinson Stadium. With so many current players due to come to the end of their current contracts though, some already released and new owners The Friedkin Group looking to make a splash, just what would constitute a 'dream summer' for the Blues?
Members of the ECHO sportsdesk have their say...
Chris Beesley
We’re told that Everton are prioritising a right-back, right winger, midfielder and a striker this summer and if they get those positions boxed off then the Blues will move for a left-back, centre-back, left winger and back-up goalkeeper. So, between all of that you’ve got every position covered!
There’s no doubt about it, David Moyes has got a major rebuild on his hands ahead of the start of a new era by the Mersey waterfront, where, with a capacity of 52,888, the move to Hill Dickinson Stadium will enable Everton to play in front of the biggest regular crowds in their history. For me, the right-hand side of the team must be the priority, especially the wing.
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Loan pair Jesper Lindstrom and Jack Harrison, who have now both returned to their parent clubs, Napoli and Leeds United respectively, just didn’t come close to cutting it. They’ve both got something about them, but while wide men are mercurial by nature, these two actually displayed consistency, unfortunately when it came to having a lack of end product.
When asked about the duo’s lack of goals or assists, Moyes himself acknowledged that players primarily operating in the final third of the pitch need to provide numbers to have longevity in his sides and while they subsequently combined for the only strike between them all season in the next game at Wolverhampton Wanderers, they then reverted to type. Although they weren’t necessarily wide men in the traditional senses, when you think that the Scot had the likes of Steven Pienaar, Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman patrolling the flanks during his first spell in charge of the Blues, it just shows you how badly standards have slipped.
In a similar vein, club captain Seamus Coleman is the only player still on the books from Moyes’ previous tenure and while the Republic of Ireland international, who now holds Everton’s Premier League appearance record is arguably their best player in his position of the modern era, he turns 37 in October. Shortly before he was sacked, Rafael Benitez shelled out big money on Nathan Patterson to be Coleman’s long-term successor but the gaffer’s fellow Glaswegian has flattered to deceive having been blighted by injuries and even when he’s been fit, the 23-year-old has regularly had team-mates picked out of position ahead of him in the right-back berth.
So, that’s another area that needs sorting, along with some fresh legs in the engine room as Idrissa Gueye (presuming he stays) enters his autumn years as an elite footballer. The Blues showed a statement of intent with their ambitious pursuit of Liam Delap but as Moyes admitted, they were always outsiders in that chase, so with top strikers costing top dollar and so many rivals also looking for new men to spearhead their attacks, Beto could get the chance to build upon his recent improvements.
In truth, Everton should be targeting the up-and-coming players that we haven’t even heard of or ones who remain under the radar but have been identified by scouts as being on the cusp of breaking through. However, when it comes to a couple of ‘dream signings’ among established names who could prove to be prudent purchases, I’d push the boat out on Canada striker Jonathan David and England midfielder Angel Gomes, who are both available on free transfers after their contracts expired at Lille.
Joe Thomas
There is a lot to do this summer, we all know that. With Everton having lost out, as expected, on Liam Delap, the instinct might be to hunt for another forward.
I think the priority is elsewhere though. The standout area of need is right wing, where Everton do not have a recognised option from next month, with Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom returning to their parent clubs.
Everton need pace and creativity from out there. I have not watched a lot of Ben Doak but he is of interest and at just 19 and with a full season of Championship football behind him, if the price is right that is a move I would not be averse to. He would need options around him and I wonder if there are some potentially interesting ones available on loan. I like Carlos Alcaraz and Iliman Ndiaye as options across the supportive three behind the striker, and Dwight McNeil is an effective contributor from the left. I would want another option in the middle and on the right though and would consider knocking on Brighton’s door.
Julio Enciso scored a rocket for Ipswich Town at Goodison Park while Facundo Buonanotte looked quite handy in a poor Leicester City side and both look like tricky players with an eye for goal that could be worth a conversation with the Seagulls over. Enciso is right-footed, though he played off the left against Everton, so could be worth considering down the right. I thought Emi Buendia was a good player and injury has severely hampered his career. He finished the season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen from Aston Villa. Could he be worth a go? I am not saying all of those are worth a go, but there are options there.
In the middle I would love Everton to take a look at James McAtee from Manchester City. He appears to be surplus to requirements and the Blues would do better testing the water with him than his teammates Jack Grealish or John Stones, who keep being linked with Everton.
Further back, Angel Gomes is being heavily linked with Marseille but he would be a lovely option in the middle to keep the ball ticking over. Again, he’s the type of talent Everton should be looking to attract and you could see player and club climbing the rungs together.
Everton could do with some more bite in the middle to help out Idrissa Gueye, presuming he stays, but also need support across the defence.
A first choice right back, competition at left back and back-up goalkeepers are required. Someone like Kyle Walker-Peters, available on a free and who could cover both sides, is not the worst idea, but a first choice right back is essential. Should Michael Keane leave, which is not a given, a new centre back would be required. Could Everton look at Ronnie Edwards at Southampton after his year at QPR? The 22-year-old is in the England U21s and if you had James Tarkowski stewarding him, Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O’Brien, that would be exciting, though Edwards probably only makes sense if an offer that was too good to be true was to come in for Branthwaite.
Finishing where I started, the future of Dominic Calvert-Lewin is tough to call but I like Beto and he has done well this year. I think Youssef Chermiti needs a season on loan so I am compelled to the links to Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade - he looks intriguing.
So that was a long way around the houses wasn’t it? Put more simply. I think two right wing options are essential, as is a new right back, competition at left back and a back-up goalkeeper. Beyond that, the central midfield could do with another body or two and a forward option should Calvert-Lewin go would be key - though I think Everton could be better off looking to supplement a striker’s 10-or-so goals with four or five chipping in behind him with five, six, seven goals apiece.
If you offered me Woltemade, McAtee, Doak, another right wing option and full-back solutions, I would take that and I do think there are plausible options in the free market and on loan to allow Moyes to build without gambling huge sums on risky calls. I would take a close look at Harrison Armstrong in pre-season but even if he does well I would want to supplement the midfield further. Gomes would be exciting and Sean Longstaff would offer some experience if Moyes returns for him.