Everton are making some really ambitious approaches this summer.
The Toffees are ready to activate Thierno Barry’s release clause at Villarreal, which stands at around £33m.
The Friedkins have also lodged a £16m bid for Baris Alper Yilmaz, who was a standout performer for Galatasaray last term.
Jack Grealish continues to be linked with a move to Everton, too, with the Manchester City winger left out of Pep Guardiola’s Club World Cup squad.
However, it’s his teammate who appears much more likely to join Everton.
Manchester City midfielder James McAtee. Inset, David Moyes, manager of Everton in 2025.
Credit: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Everton appear much more likely to sign Jack Grealish’s teammate James McAtee
Fabrizio Romano reckons there’s a 35% chance of Grealish joining Everton this summer, with his lofty £300,000-a-week wages a big stumbling block.
According to The i Paper, Moyes is ‘very keen’ on signing his teammate James McAtee, and that deal looks much more likely.
Personal terms aren’t expected to be an issue for McAtee, and his £35m price tag is certainly feasible for the cash-rich Friedkins.
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The left-footed playmaker has been made surplus to requirements by Guardiola despite a pretty productive season as a squad player.
The 2002-born netted seven times in 27 appearances, which has alerted a number of Premier League and Bundesliga clubs.
Kevin De Bruyne really rates McAtee
Man City legend Kevin De Bruyne is a big fan of McAtee and hailed him after the 1-0 win at Leicester City back in December.
“He’s got a really good quality,” De Bruyne said.
“Obviously he’s not played that much but today is important. For a young player to come in and give us a bit of energy. To give us a bit of a bright spark will do him good but also for us.”
De Bruyne’s seal of approval is as good as any, so Everton should be going all out to sign McAtee over Grealish.
It’d be a much smarter use of funds as the 22-year-old still has plenty of time to develop and get even better under Moyes’ tutelage.