Everton are laying down the foundations for a potential summer rebuild of their defensive options, with Ross Sykes emerging as a target.
David Moyes saw a number of Everton players depart last year as their contracts came to an end on Merseyside.
There are a number of players who fall into that boat for this summer and Michael Keane’s future is looking uncertain as a result.
Everton have been closely monitoring Ross Sykes, who is currently playing in Belgium with the Champions League outfit, Union SG.
Deadline day is now done… what’s your thoughts, Toffees? 😬
What more could have been done? 🫣
Rate Everton's winter window.
Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse.
Although the Blues may already boast a number of solid defensive options, Sykes is a player who could offer some long-term relief in the centre-back position.
Everton v Bournemouth - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Ross Sykes could be Everton’s next James Tarkowski
The 26-year-old defender is not just a random find from Europe, the Burnley-born centre-back has all the makings of a David Moyes player.
Standing at an impressive 6ft 5″, Sykes would offer the same aerial dominance that Everton have seen from Tarkowski over his years on Merseyside.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Who should be Everton’s starting centre-backs for next season? 😬
Ross Sykes could provide a dominant replacement for Michael Keane! 🤩
Ross Sykes playing in the Champions League for Union SG against Atletico Madrid.
Credit: Getty Images/Diego Souto
Much like Tarkowski, Sykes also earned his stripes playing in the Lancashire/Greater Manchester region before going on to bigger and better things.
2025/26 Ross Sykes James Tarkowski Michael Keane
Aerial duel success 75% 71% 62%
Tackles per game 1.1 1.4 1.1
Clearances per game 5.7 7.0 6.8
Stats via SofaScore.
Everton hero Alan Stubbs has recently suggested that Tarkowski should be dropped by Moyes from the starting XI.
With Keane’s contract running down and Tarkowski’s best days possibly coming to an end, there could well be a changing of the guard at the back for Everton.
Everton facing strong competition for Sykes
It is not just Everton who are keen to sign Sykes this summer, with the likes of Leeds United and Burnley also credited in the report.
One issue Everton may stumble across is how much game time they could guarantee Sykes if he was to make the move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
He could well be viewed as the long-term replacement for Tarkowski, but the current Everton centre-back only signed a contract extension back in October.
Ally McCoist has hailed Tarkowski as seriously underrated, but Sykes would also have to compete with Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O’Brien if he was to join the club.
here will be plenty of food for thought when it comes to Sykes’ decision on potentially moving in the summer.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox