Everton have been put through the wringer over the past several years, but the return of David Moyes in January has turned the club back in the right direction.
The Friedkin Group have a daunting task ahead, with so many players out of contract at the end of the month. But it's also a golden opportunity to redesign the Toffees squad as they step into a new home at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton manager David Moyes
New CEO Angus Kinnear, who left Leeds United to replace Kevin Thelwell in May, has got his work cut out, but Everton are willing to entrust their senior figures with the big decisions, and understandably so, given Moyes has identified an exciting new option to strengthen the frontline.
Everton make their first move
According to Turkish outlet A Spor, Galatasaray's Baris Alper Yilmaz has been approached by Everton as they look to add depth and dynamism to Moyes' squad.
baris-yilmaz-galatasaray-turkish-super-lig
Yilmaz can play across both attacking flanks and thus would fit the bill as to what the manager hopes to add. It's understood that the Merseysiders will soon present an opening £16m offer, but that the Istanbul club are holding out for a figure closer to £29m.
With Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom both returning to their parent clubs after difficult loan spells at Goodison Park, this could be a shrewd signing indeed for the Blues.
What Yilmaz would bring to Everton
Everton's Premier League pedigree has at times felt threatened by the turbulence at the club over recent seasons, by the dysfunction that has led to palpable fears of relegation.
Moyes, though, transformed the club when arriving in January, after 12 years away. Everton finished comfortably in 13th place, and if they can get things right during the off-season, bringing in players such as Yilmaz, they could be headed for a new level of success.
baris-alper-yilmaz-galatasaray
Yilmaz, a silky and talented winger, would certainly ease the burden on Iliman Ndiaye's shoulders, the Senegalese star hailed by pundit Jamie Redknapp for his "dynamite" qualities after joining from Marseille for £15m last summer.
He could even prove an upgrade on Dwight McNeil, taking his place in the starting line-up as Charly Alcaraz makes the number ten spot his own, especially after notching 20 goal contributions from 48 matches for Gala last season.
That came after a EURO 2024 showdown with the Netherlands, which led Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk to declare his adversary "difficult for every defender".
The Turk's constant running and unrelenting intensity suggest he'd be a fantastic addition to the Premier League, potentially even capable of keeping McNeil on the bench.
Everton's industrious playmaker started the 2023/24 season off with aplomb, but a knee injury ruled him out for the entirety of the midseason. Still, the one-time Burnley talent finished the year with four goals and eight assists from 21 top-flight fixtures, 15 starts.
League Stats 24/25 - Baris Yilmaz vs Dwight McNeil
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals
Assists
Touches*
Shots (on target)*
Pass completion
Big chances created
Key passes*
Dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Duels won*
Data via Sofascore
Though McNeil is evidently the more naturally creative player, Everton could add a new dimension to their attacking efforts by bringing Yilmaz in.
Everton, let's not forget, finished 13th in the chance creation standings last season (63 big chances created) but only scored 42 goals, fewer than all but the three relegated outfits.
Dwight McNeil for Everton
Ultimately, it would serve Moyes well to have both players in the team next season, but Yilmaz's pace and directness offer shades of Ndiaye, and we've seen how well he took to life in the Premier League when signing for Everton.
Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates their third goal, an own goal scored by Tottenham Hotspur's Archie Gray Related
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The Toffees could land their Liam Delap alternative.