Everton have dispatched officials to a club as the Toffees eye a very promising young French player following his excellent campaign, according to a new report.
Everton plan to back David Moyes this summer
Everton go into the final stretch of the season in eighth place, two points adrift of the European spots with seven games to play.
David Moyes is also on course for a contract extension, with the Friedkin Group understood to be preparing improved terms in recognition of the job he has done since returning to the club in January 2025.
EVERTON MOYES
The summer's first significant piece of business looks likely to revolve around Jack Grealish, with the permanent option at £50m now widely considered too steep.
A further loan deal is the more realistic scenario, with Moyes understood to have made a personal appearance at the Etihad last Saturday to watch Man City dismantle rivals Liverpool — a trip that observers noted may have carried a transfer dimension alongside its scouting purpose.
James Garner is also set to attract significant interest after his performances for England during the international break, though Everton have no intention of sanctioning a sale.
The club tied him down to a new deal in January and will almost certainly defend that position.
said-el-mala-koln-everton-brighton Related
Everton 'likely' to try and hijack Brighton deal for £43m Bundesliga star with Newcastle rejected
The Toffees sense a chance to swoop in.
A striker remains the most pressing need in the squad, with Beto and Thierno Barry's combined output this season falling a bit short.
There are also suggestions that Everton could try and hijack Brighton's long-awaited move for FC Koln star Said El Mala, but attack is by no means the only area of the squad which Moyes wants to upgrade.
Everton running rule over Saint Étienne sensation Kevin Pedro
Against that backdrop, Everton's scouts have been busy on the continent — including in France, where one of Ligue 2's most talked-about young defenders has been attracting a queue of observers.
Everton manager David Moyes
Kévin Pedro, 20, has established himself as a key figure at Saint-Étienne this season, holding down a starting berth as either a right-back or a central defender since the winter.
The French Under-19 international's performances have drawn attention from clubs across multiple countries, with scouts from Spain, Germany, England and within France itself making the trip to Geoffroy-Guichard to assess him in recent weeks.
Everton are among those who have sent representatives to analyse Pedro, as have Bournemouth, according to jeunesfooteux.
JF cite Pedro among the most exciting prospects in Ligue 2 after a "stunning" campaign, describing his debut season in the position as eye-catching and noting his ability in one-on-one defensive situations as a particular strength.
The problem for any interested party is that Saint-Étienne have no desire to sell.
According to JF, club president Ivan Gazidis has drawn an internal line: Pedro leaves only if an offer arrives that is genuinely extraordinary — the kind of figure the club would find impossible to refuse. Short of that, he stays.
saint-etienne-ligue-2
ASSE sit second in Ligue 2 and are pushing for promotion back to the top flight.
Pedro, under contract until 2030, is central to that project.
The same approach was applied last summer when offers came in for both Lucas Stassin and Zuriko Davitashvili — bids described internally as perfectly reasonable — and Gazidis held firm on both.
The club's strategy under Kilmer Sport Ventures is to secure young talent at the earliest opportunity, earn promotion, and then negotiate from a position of strength with the asking price considerably higher.
For Everton, the message is clear: interest alone will not be enough.
Any genuine move for Pedro this summer would need to arrive at a level that changes the conversation entirely. At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that figure is on the table.
david-moyes-everton-premier-league Related
[Everton offered "very valuable" Liverpool target by agents, he's ready to move](https://www.footballfancast.com/everton-transfers-liverpool-bournemouth-marcos-senesi/ "Everton offered "very valuable" Liverpool target by agents, he's ready to move")
The Toffees are one of a few suitors.