There’s a strong likelihood that Everton will have some money invested in the squad this summer but, considering the fact that the squad needs several positions reinforcing, there is the obvious free agent market that could provide great value to the club.
Having kept an eye on the potential “free” market throughout the season it is fast approaching the time when the Toffees will have to strike deals or lose opportunities once again.
The backcloth to all of our potential business with free agents of course is exactly the same dilemma as with regular multi-million pound signings …. we don’t have European football to entice players with. To put it bluntly, these players may simply get better offers!
I think someone on here and in every other corner of the Everton world might have suggested we need a right back!!!! Out of all the free agent candidates I have looked at the strongest position of them all in my opinion is at right back.
In 27 year old Oscar Mingueza of Celta Vigo (below) there is an outstanding footballer. Positionally the four-time Spain international is the complete reverse to our mainstay option this season, Jake O’Brien. He is a centre back who is more comfortable at right back, or even left back whereas O’Brien is clearly happier at centre back. Statistically, the former Barcelona academy graduate has played 86 games at centre back, 77 at right back and 28 at left back. To be fair, a lot of those centre back games will have been in his younger days and given the fact that he’s just 6 feet tall he would probably only play that position in the Premiership in an emergency.
In terms of style he is a strong runner, very attack-minded and equally adept on both flanks from what I have seen. No nasty injuries, a couple of hamstring issues but nothing serious in the last 3 years. Big problem is that, reportedly, Juventus have been showing major interest!
BILBAO, SPAIN - MAY 17: Oscar Mingueza of RC Celta de Vigo crosses the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Athletic Club and RC Celta de Vigo at Estadio de San Mames on May 17, 2026 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)
BILBAO, SPAIN - MAY 17: Oscar Mingueza of RC Celta de Vigo crosses the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Athletic Club and RC Celta de Vigo at Estadio de San Mames on May 17, 2026 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)
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On the opposite flank, 25 year old Souffian El Karouani (below) of FC Utrecht, a 6-cap Moroccan international, has really impressed me with his poise and distribution from left back.
UTRECHT - Souffian El Karouani of FC Utrecht during the Conference League play-off match between FC Utrecht and sc Heernveen at Galgenwaard Stadium on 21 May 2026 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. BART STOUTJESDIJK / ANP (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
UTRECHT - Souffian El Karouani of FC Utrecht during the Conference League play-off match between FC Utrecht and sc Heernveen at Galgenwaard Stadium on 21 May 2026 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. BART STOUTJESDIJK / ANP (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
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In the Eredivisie he has certainly stood out as a very good attacking threat with a sweet left foot and no slouch in his defensive duties. For me he’d be an upgrade on Mykolenko. El Karouani’s fitness record is almost impeccable.
He has been the alleged subject of interest from Juventus and, you guessed it, AS Roma, so the Blues would have their work cut out to sign him.
At centre back I think there is a stand out player in 22 year old Zeno Van den Bosch (in red shirt below) of Royal Antwerp. This guy is a recent Belgium Under 21 international, 6ft 3, right sided, very mobile and aggressive in the tackle. To me, he is a perfect candidate to come into the squad, shadow James Tarkowski and eventually replace him (or Michael Keane). He has a clean bill of health injury-wise.
RSC Anderlecht’s Ibrahim Kanate (L) and Royal Antwerp FC’s Zeno Van Den Bosch (R) fight for the ball during the Belgian Cup semi-final first leg football match between RSC Anderlecht and Royal Antwerp FC at the Bosuilstadion in Antwerp on February 5, 2026. (Photo by Tom Goyvaerts / Belga / AFP via Getty Images) / Belgium OUT
RSC Anderlecht’s Ibrahim Kanate (L) and Royal Antwerp FC’s Zeno Van Den Bosch (R) fight for the ball during the Belgian Cup semi-final first leg football match between RSC Anderlecht and Royal Antwerp FC at the Bosuilstadion in Antwerp on February 5, 2026. (Photo by Tom Goyvaerts / Belga / AFP via Getty Images) / Belgium OUT
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In terms of wingers available, quite frankly, aside from the much-talked-about Harry Wilson of Fulham who will likely get an offer from Aston Villa or others, there are few players available on a free who would be serious considerations to go into Everton’s first team as a winger.
Elsewhere positionally, I am sure there will be a free transfer consideration or two at centre forward?
I may be in a minority that would consider a 12 month contract for Raul Jimenez as a bench option at centre forward. Not exactly spritely as the Mexican has just turned 35 years old but a very clever player who may well suit Everton’s style of play. For me he’d be an ideal back up option or mentor to a younger centre forward.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Raul Jimenez of Fulham in action during the Premier League match between Fulham and Newcastle United at Craven Cottage on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Raul Jimenez of Fulham in action during the Premier League match between Fulham and Newcastle United at Craven Cottage on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)
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Another similar bench/ back-up option might be someone who has just missed out on promotion, Ross Stewart (below) of Southampton. The 29 year old Scotland international is another clever player. He featured in 33 games for the Saints last season scoring 11 goals across competition suggesting he has overcome the miserable hamstring injury-hit 3 seasons beforehand. He’d be a risk for sure but a consideration and a big character, a leader. I remember another so-called 28 year old Scottish international injury-crock called Andy Gray being signed in 1982 and he didn’t do too badly did he?
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Ross Stewart of Southampton controls the ball during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final Second Leg match between Southampton and Middlesbrough at St Mary’s Stadium on May 12, 2026 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Ross Stewart of Southampton controls the ball during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final Second Leg match between Southampton and Middlesbrough at St Mary’s Stadium on May 12, 2026 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
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In terms of younger options at centre forward “on a free”, for me there is very little. It’s the kind of position that usually demands a good transfer fee. There will be reasonably-priced names like Zan Vipotnik of Swansea, Zian Flemming of freshly-relegated Burnley, Troy Parrott of AZ Alkmaar and many others.
A big consideration of course is whether there are yet more low-cost alternatives to these “free” options. Nothing in life, as we all know, is actually free and the big signing on fees demanded by free agents could instead be used to fund lower cost (under £10 million) transfer fees?
None of the players, Jimenez and Stewart aside, are due to be at this year’s World Cup finals so the opportunity is there. The question is will we dither or will we pounce, let’s hope it’s the latter?