Rumour Mill — Week of 29 June 2025

I thought this nonsense with 'Fred' was done... but I've had to stick him back on the list.

Hope it's just the usual midsummer bullshit.

Looking down that list, I noticed Jonjoe Kenny and Adam Forshaw's names.

For both, good to see they have forged. solid professional careers after Everton didn't work out for them.

Jonjoe mostly on the continent. Adam Forshaw in the lower leagues of English football.

I knew Forshaw's dad. Well, I still do, but haven't seen him for years. I wouldn't call us mates, he was a few years older than me.

We'll get to watch him play Everton in a few weeks then.

I hope the Beto "claim" is just that Michael. Not because I think he is the most refined striker, but if that eventuality worked out, we'd be looking for two.

Getting concerned with the lack of transfer activity given the number of players we need.

Whilst Moyes has been able to find a bargain in the past, I don't recall him being particularly good at winning transfer battles (ie, If it's between us and another club, the other club wins). I could of course be wrong.

He also doesn't tend to sign players with potential to be world class, just very good hard workers. Or am I wrong?

Josh Brownhill on a free from Burnley?

100 plus PL appearances, 18 goals in Championship last season. Worth a punt to widen a threadbare squad with our limited funds or should we be looking for better?

The newly crowned German champions are reportedly set to offer a five-year contract and a basic salary of €7.5 million per year (£6.4m/$8.7m), which could increase to €10 million with bonuses.

It's a significant rise from Woltemade's existing salary of €1.5m per season. Stuttgart's new extension offer would have seen him earn €2.5m per year.

No Liam. He's crap.

I didn't watch Burnley much last season, Liam, couldn't comment.

I watched Leeds a few times. They were entertaining. Running away with it, threatened to throw it away, managed a late gallop.

Some decent players too.

Don't worry, Stu, I suspect its connected to the uncertainty around Gana and Keane's contracts. I hope we'll see things start to move next week.

Hopefully Tete and Barry over the line, as Robert has said on another thread, I'd love to see us really get a quality right-midfieldr in like Dibling.

Stu @3, in addition to what Steve points out, we will be waiting for tomorrow. Any transactions from then go onto next year's books from a PSR perspective.

I'm sure talks have been going on in the background. It's not professional to do business in public until there is something to announce. As frustrating as that is for us impatient supporters.

Some useful names on that linked with list, if only the club could get its arse in gear and sign some of them!

I think Liam makes a valid point, Ryan. Brownhill is only 29, has Premier League experience and seems to know where the net is.

I don't think his wages would be mega and I'm sure he could provide us with much-needed cover in midfield.

I'm not saying he's the ideal choice but there are plenty of worse players out there.

I see you only describe him as crap with a small c,so you must like him a little bit??

Danny I have never accepted the argument that we have to wait for 1 July because we could have any contracts agreed to kick in on 1 July.

I am also concerned if the limit of our budget is Tete at right-back because I was thinking he would only be a squad player and that our ambitions for a right-back were a lot higher than that.

Walker-Peters would be a better alternative IMO because he is more versatile and can play left-back too.

I am also concerned that we haven't tied Gana Gueye up yet because that would have been a simple contract renewal which would buy us a year or two to find or develop a replacement.

Jay, it would be nice if some deals are oven-ready. (Fuck, how I hated that phrase… but you know what I mean!)

Striker, right-back, right-wing, Gana to sign, and a centre-back. Add to that a versatile oul fella, and we're ready to go.

6 week's until the Premier League starts.

To make a transfer, you need three parties to agree. Most clubs will look to sell after 1 July 2025 if they are not desperate for PSR compliance.

Gana and Branthwaite will sign the next couple of weeks. People need to chill. It's not as simple as just having contracts ready.

Maybe that's the case, Jay. Negotiations and agreements may have happened and provisional contracts are in place, but they won't be announced.

Keep your powder dry as the saying goes.

It's different for those with the benefit of last season's and next season's Champions League windfall (Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City). Manchester Utd, despite their outrageous debts, can point to the revenue they generate regardless of the awful season they have just had.

It's just my feeling that if we declared anything before tomorrow, it goes on last season's books, which could add to losses before a ball is kicked at the new stadium and we challenge for Europe.

I'm confident the owners know what they're doing. The summer will tell us.

Walker-Peters wants to return to London, per click bait.

Danny,

If we signed someone today or last week, it wouldn't make hardly any difference to our PSR situation.

The key is the selling club will want any transfers to be after 1 July because then they will get another year of PSR credit from the incoming transfer fee.

Agree Ryan. Likewise for us as the buying club.

We don't really know. business could already be done or in flight.

Apart from sorting out existing contracts, I never expected anything to be announced until after tomorrow.

As Gana and Keane are already our players, then I do not see any PSR issue unless they are getting a signing-on fee for renewing their contract.

I know I once got a bonus of 10% for moving to a new factory as a thank you and but they do not even need to pay for new carpets and curtains.

There are signing-on fees, loyalty payments and agent fees.

I don't know if they're accounted for one the nose, or spread over the contract tbh. I'd assume recognised in full upfront, but would be guessing.

Danny,

I just want us to have a good team by the time we play Leeds in 7 weeks today.

Couldn't care less if we sign players on 1 July, 10 July, 30 July.

Absolutely, Ryan.

I'm making the trip up for Accrington and Blackburn 15 and 19 July, then back up for the Roma match on 9 August.

I'd like to see a few in by then.

Apparently, out-of-contract players get another month's salary if they don't have another Premier League club by 1 July.

If they sign for another club within that month, then their former clubs stop paying them.

How do people rate Walker-Peters?

I've never seen anything from him personally that stands out. Tete is a better defender imo.

Ryan 22, that's bonkers if true.

Where did you hear that one, Ryan?

Alan Myers is saying Tete will be staying at Fulham.

It was on Twitter, admittedly.

It’s going to be a long, hot Everton summer.

I see Fabianski is leaving west Ham on a free. I wonder if Moyesy thinks enough of him to bring him in as deputy for Pickford seeing as we have no one.

Pedro now on his way to Chelsea… maybe Delap will realise he jumped the gun?

Josh Sargent, anyone?

I hope we have new players ready to sign and deals already negotiated; otherwise, I fear we will wind up scrambling about for unwanted old timers and lower table – no end product – dross.

The fact that we have hired people with great experience in the transfer market and we now have new owners who are very successful businessmen and women, I must surely believe that I will be pleasantly surprised by our new signings.

The general consensus amongst Burnley fans is that Brownhill is a very good Championship player who can't quite cut it in the Premier League. He's never done anything meaningful in at least 3 or 4 seasons of top-level football. Granted, he was playing for a side that was generally pretty limited.

If Sean Dyche was still in charge, then I could see us going for him, but I doubt Moyes would fancy him as anything other than a bench warmer.

I'm not too worried about the lack of signings yet, there's still plenty of time for things to happen. If it's like this in another month, then I'll definitely start to worry.

Liam,

I'd like Walker-Peters and he is versatile too. I saw this morning that Richy will be available on the cheap, for the right price, I'd definitely have him back.

I really hope the wheels are turning upstairs in the boardroom; as each day passes, our squad looks thinner and thinner.

Steve, several of us have been banging on about Walker-Peters since the end of last season but I get the nagging feeling that Moyes will opt for the other Walker.

Sounds like both Richarlison and Abrahams are heading to Turkey. Back to the drawing board!

Out:
Virginia
Begovic
Young
Mangala
Doucoure
Harrison
Lindstrom
Broja
Calver-Lewin

Undecided:
Keane
Gana

In:
Alcaraz

6 weeks to go — those are not good numbers. Not one single addition to last season's squad with so many departures.

I hope we are not “dithering”, Andrew.

The next stage after dithering is panicking, Colin…

And that's when we re-sign Ashley Young.

‘Dithering'?

Here we go again…

Give it a rest!

"Neal Maupay will join Marseille for £10M when his loan ends"

Are we getting £10M for Maupay? Surely not?

Stop dithering, Ryan. Say what you mean! 😄

I see Roma have sold Abraham to Besiktas for a few million quid. I hope Everton is not just a bauble in TFG crown.

Colin,

😂

I worry TFG see Everton as their second club.

Dermot (40),

Yes, that was the deal when the French club signed him at the start of last season although I think it is closer to £6M to £8M.

He has done well for Brentford and Marseille playing in his proper position so I think we have got the money we paid for him mostly back.

Ryan, yes, getting Kinnear in from the Championship to run the whole shebang, they're not exactly shooting for the stars.

"And what's your greatest strength?''
"Rinsing new stadiums for cash."
"Perfect. When can you start?"

Agreed, Ryan.

Dave, I hope the Maupay money is not the new, Arteta money.

I think we need to realise that Everton do not have a lot of money to spend this summer.

There will be the odd purchase, but most players will come in from free transfers and loan players and yes, we may have to bring back a couple of players that have just left the club.

The club is skint; Moyes and his team will have to work a few miracles.

John, I think it's possible we do have quite a lot of money, not compared to the big teams but compared to what we've spent recently.

I can see us spending £90-100M easily. Though these days that may only represent 3 to 5 decent players, so we will still need some loans and freebies to pad the squad like you say.

Cheers Dave.

Colin (45),

I think these new owners are more up to date and have their money in a bank rather than a couch!

It's interesting to follow what's happening with Palace as they have a dual owner in Textor as both of his clubs qualified for the same European competition, which is not allowed.

We could (hopefully) be in the same position with Roma and TFG. Unless there is some sleight of hand, it's a real issue if we do.

I also wonder why Abraham wasn't an option for us. I think the next few weeks will give us a real insight into next season and the intentions of TFG.

I expect activity not just for us but many clubs to ramp up this week onwards. We need a minimum of atleast five players before we head out to the US.

I expect we'll continue to add right up until deadline day.

Textor has also, according to the BBC, caused uproar at Botafogo for sacking the manager, who refused to allow him to pick the team at the Club World Cup.

Dodged a bullet with that guy!

This is not a normal transfer window with up to 13 first team squad members departing.

We all know why it was done though: 1) long-term restructuring of the player salary bill; 2) bringing in players on loan to manage PSR pressures; 3) preparing us for the worst-case scenario — relegation.

This is no easy task, so there will be compromises we don't like (retaining Keane?), bringing in free transfers or loans, and spending our transfer fund wisely.

Think we all need to be patient.

Could be a million times worse — 777 Partners, Textor or Farhad could be in charge.

Christine, I thought Textor has sold his interest in Palace which might help their position in terms of the Europa League. Unless the deal hasn't been ratified yet.

Liam, yes, bullet dodged.

We need to bring in new players for preseason and the US tour:

A new No 9, a winger with pace, a defensive midfielder along with Gueye, a right-back and cover for left-back, a sub goalie, another centre-back.

No pressure, Moyes!

Well, although no source is 100% reliable, Fabrizio Romano is usually worth noting.

He has just posted on X that Everton are closing in on the deal to sign Thiemo Barry from Villarreal. Deal at the final stages after personal terms agreed.

Let's see.

I really hope we sign Thierno Barry.

From what I have seen, a great addition now with plenty of time to develop further.

I have my undefeatable close-season hope. Whatever happened the previous year, that hope and the dream's always there… and have been through all my 64 years.

Not really seen much of Thierno Barry apart from a few minutes for France in Euro U21s. Looked quick and good in the air, but it's difficult to tell. Missed an absolute sitter against Germany.

One positive is that last season's highlight reel shows that he scored different types of goals.

Me neither, Liam.

I hadn't even heard of him until a month ago.

There are not many players of his type who play as a striker, Beto is another example.

He appears to have the height, size and good feet to be a real handful in the Premier League.

He will obviously need a period of transition but, if he signs, he has enormous potential and is a bargain.

Nicolas Tagliafico…. Any good?

Barry is in Miami so he won’t be signing for a while

Centre-back Andy Webster from Brighton linked as 4th choice.

Ryan @62.

I've no idea about Tagliafico. I've never watched him. Plays for Lyon, who could be rich pickings following their relegation.

But two factors at play. The currently have an appeal in play and, as far as I understand, their European qualification from last season still stands?

69 caps for Argentina. Attacking left back that creates, but at nearly 33 he's not the player he was.

Did well in Holland, but his influence is reduced. Not a great season at Lyon last year.

“Barry is in Miami so he won’t be signing for a while”
Not sure that’s an issue these days Ryan? I doubt very much that every signing now takes place in the managers office at Finch Farm.

Just as a matter of interest, who handles scouting and contract and transfer negotiating for the Ladies team?

Alan J., I assume that would be the manager Brian Sorenson and the Director of Football Operations Catherine Wright.

Liam #58, Barry does have a reputation for missing sitters, even went public on Facebook apologizing to a teammate for making hash out of a perfect pass. But he's only 22. Will learn and grow.

Liverpool just got £35M for some no-mark defender Quansah.

The Yanks have probably ended up not putting in a bean over the last 10 years. All done on clever recruitment and sales.

Martin #60:

"He will obviously need a period of transition."

But if Moyes doesn't immediately play him for 90 minutes every game, even when injured, there'll be many on here spouting the Baines nonsense that Moyes didn't trust him.

Mike(#68); The reason I ask is if any of the recent appointments from the CEO down be partially involved in the Ladies side of the club then could a percentage of their wage/costs be written off for PSR purposes, mostly to show what a mess this system is and similarly is Finch Farm treated as such if the Academy and the Ladies train there?