09/07/2026 30comments  |  Jump to last

Exact knowledge of Everton’s summer budget is a guessing game, though the list of names credibly linked with Hill Dickinson Stadium has been fairly modest.

Hayden Hackney and Tyrique George have arrived for a combined initial fee of £34.5M, while Merlin Röhl’s loan from SC Freiburg has been turned permanent for around £18M. 

Around £52.5M spent, but only Hackney’s arrival differentiates from last season’s squad. With Idrissa Gana Gueye’s deal expiring and Jack Grealish's loan over, Hackney will need to hit the Premier League running to ensure Everton do more than simply stand still. 

Everton are expected to be busy across the remainder of the window. A right-back, or two, remains the priority, with Djed Spence, Ben White and Guela Doue the latest linked with filling a long-term problem position. Reports that Doue’s £40M asking price is out of Everton’s reach has created some concern about the finances available to invest.

Across the last five seasons, including this summer’s spend so far, Everton rank 15th in the Premier League for net spend. Only Aston Villa and Brighton, among ever-present top-flight teams, have invested less, net, in that 5-year window.

So, is there room for a signing that could really raise the ceiling?

The Premier League’s new Squad Cost Ratio rules are a factor, but this is a club whose finances should be comparable to divisional peers that have been unafraid to loosen the purse strings.

Everton had the 10th-highest wage bill in the Premier League last season and rank 24th, worldwide, for revenue. The Toffees were 11th among English clubs in Deloitte’s Money League for 2024-25, with revenues set to rise further following the move into Hill Dickinson Stadium last season. 

With a solid spine built, clear upgrades at right-back and centre-forward would take this team up a level. A right-sided winger, too, if we’re being greedy. With reasonable fees potentially being brought in for Dwight McNeil, Tim Iroegbunam and Thierno Barry, there should be some room to manoeuvre for team-changing talents. 

Every Premier League club bar one has broken its transfer record more recently than Everton, whose biggest deal was Gylfi Sigurdsson's signing 9 years ago. That year, Manchester United’s recruitment of Paul Pogba, was a world-record fee.

​It’s not all about high fees, and Everton have invested before and got it wrong. Value remains the goal, but a real marquee signing would be a signal of intent from an ownership yet to win supporter trust.

 

 

Reader Comments (30)

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Mihir Ambardekar
1 Posted 09/07/2026 at 15:15:33
Marquee signings should be 1. Bowen 2. Striker who can score at least 15 goals (Not sure who fits the bill) and we are after.
Mark Ryan
2 Posted 09/07/2026 at 15:17:31
Hopefully and his name is Mauricio Pochettino or Julian Nagelsmann.
Malcolm Kitchen
4 Posted 09/07/2026 at 16:34:49
Various EFC sites saying Kofane, Spence and Bardghji.

I'm on board with the first 2 but not Bardghji, too much of a risk! Maeda instead, more experienced, scores goals and Moyes likes him!

Any thoughts, fellow Blues??? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚽😀💙
Frank Worrall
5 Posted 09/07/2026 at 17:13:58
Totally agree with Malcolm. Various names of potential forwards have been proposed, with Maeda and Ueda among the Japanese contingent. I fervently hope that Moyse abandons his pursuit of ageing, injury prone (and ultra expensive) players like Stones and less than successful strikers such as Delap, and starts looking elsewhere for talent.
Paul Hewitt
6 Posted 09/07/2026 at 20:35:05
Palace just signed mingusa from Celta Vigo on a free. Only 27 can play anywhere along the back, must mainly a right back.. Very decent as well. Once again our scouts probably don't even know who he is.
Terry Downes
7 Posted 09/07/2026 at 20:56:00
Ffs
Why can’t we get Richy bk that would give time for any new striker to bed in ?? and why we’re at it get rid of Bill &Ben sorry Beto & Barry
Christy Ring
8 Posted 09/07/2026 at 21:26:50
Terry #7 I just read an article where Bryan King our former scout, and now so called expert, says he was a bad influence in the Everton and Spurs dressing room, and stay well clear? Always loved by our supporters, even now, would love him back.
Brian Foley
9 Posted 09/07/2026 at 22:09:53
Mark (2) don’t understand your post in relation to post (1). Anyway Pochettino won a couple of things before my mum passed in 2005, and one thing since, I think. Nagelsmann? (Bagelsmann, schmagelsmann). Neither should be mentioned on here ever again.
Bowen yes, Maeda yes, Hakimi of Morocco super player.
Terry Downes
10 Posted 09/07/2026 at 22:11:59
Christy
He would surely score goals in this team i’d still take a chance on him ?
Not sure there’s any experts at Everton from what i’ve seen ?
Phillip Warrington
11 Posted 09/07/2026 at 23:10:43
I agree, Paul Hewitt, our scouting system is shite.

More in line with a non-league club than a Premier League club.
Mike Allison
12 Posted 10/07/2026 at 07:26:48
Bowen in.

Spence in (should have signed Mingueza on a free). Also, accept that Patterson is decent.

Hopefully Grealish back on loan.

Swap Barry out for a footballer.

I’d keep Iroegbunam, I like him and he’s our most out and out defensive, tackling central midfielder. If we sold him we’d have to replace him.

Those are the urgent positions. I’d rather have a better left back if that can be wangled within the budget.

The huge issue at Everton is management, not players. Poor management on the field, through selection and substitutions, cost us 10-15 points last season. The last 7 games were a disgrace.

It doesn’t matter who we sign if Moyes plays Keane and Tarkowski with O’Brien at right back, whilst still somehow being poor in the air at set pieces.
Derek Thomas
13 Posted 10/07/2026 at 07:31:31
Only if it's not the over aged, over paid Grealish...not saying he's an awful player, just at his age and especially for his money, we could do better...probably twice.
Ian Wilkins
14 Posted 10/07/2026 at 08:30:53
Return for pre season training this week.
So far we've added Hackney ( Rohl snd George were already with us, albeit not permanently). Without Gana ( out of contract) and Grealish ( City player as things stand).

There must be lots of business to be done, in and out. McNeill, Patterson ( please God no more there's a player in there.. there isn’t), Tim Iro, Barry, Travers, to depart
Moyes will probably send Harrison, Aznou, Dibling out on loan.
Better back up keeper, striker, RIGHT BACk, defensive midfield, left back competition, wide man to come in, as minimum.

Come on Recruitment team, we need to see movement. We should have been lining up realistic targets for the past 9 months.
Mark Steers
15 Posted 10/07/2026 at 09:30:56
I don't see why people moan about Barry and Beto; with better service, they both should easily get into double figures. Barry needs a pre-season as he only played about half of last season.

Moyes is staying, so you all need to stop banging that drum. Everton need two major signings: right-back and right-wing, as we have not had anyone for the last 4 seasons playing there who can run and kick the ball with their right foot.

Sort it out, Moyes... no more square pegs.
Mike Powell
16 Posted 10/07/2026 at 10:48:02
We need to get rid of the likes of McNeil Tim Patterson and Barry, we need an upgrade on these players, otherwise it's gonna be same again for this coming season, right back as got to be a priority, surely we can't go into the season with no right back again. FFS Everton we are getting left behind again, get some players in for the start of preseason
Keith Gleave
18 Posted 10/07/2026 at 10:55:26
I don’t consider Bowen a marquee signing
Kevin Molloy
19 Posted 10/07/2026 at 11:01:02
I can't believe we are sniffing around spurs and Arsenal for players. Since when was that a profitable route? If we take any of their players we are GUARANTEED to be paying over the odds.
So much for the world class recruitment team.
Geoff Lambert
20 Posted 10/07/2026 at 11:05:33
#13 "Only if it's not the over aged, over paid Grealish"
If he had been fit for the last seven games we would have been in Europe.
Richie back on 12 month loan deal?
Kevin Molloy
21 Posted 10/07/2026 at 11:06:30
the point about Hackney needing to hit the ground running cos of the outgoings is a good one. Our squad gets significantly worse each year because of the oldies who we have been running on empty with (Gueye, Tarks Grealish Keane). Replacing those players alone with players who can go straight into the first team will cost at least a hundred million. And that's just to stand still!
Geoff Lambert
22 Posted 10/07/2026 at 11:24:26
Outgoing's- Guye, Tim, Patterson,McNeil, and Barry. and if we get a decent offer for Ndiaye > £50 million take the money.
Right back a priority, a powerfull defensive mid, Winger, Fatawu would be a decent buy fast and goals and assists in his locker and only in the 15 to 20 Million bracket. Not got the funds or pulling power for a top striker so stick or twist B & B or AN other.
Ajay Gopal
23 Posted 10/07/2026 at 12:05:02
To answer the title of this article: Yes! Not 1 statement signings, but 2!

Let me explain my thinking:

Ndiaye is wrangling to leave for a CL club, and I think if we can get 60+ million, we should deal. I would also sell McNeil, Barry, Patterson, Iroegbunam for a total 60 million, so that we get about 120 million.
I wouldn't sign Grealish - other better options are available.

My 2 statement signings would be: Christian Kofane (Bayer Leverkusen) as our main striker for about 45 million, and Doue for about 40 million for right back. I would also try to get Bowen for about 25-30 million. This would take our spend to about 160 million - including the amount paid for Hackney, George and Rohl. So that would mean a net spend of about 45-50 million, which should be achievable.

The squad:

Centre Forwards: Kofane, Beto (+1 more on loan like Evan Ferguson?)
Forwards/Wingers: Bowen, George, Alcaraz, Dibling
Midfield: Garner, Hackney, Dewsbury-Hall, Rohl, Armstrong (+ 1 more experienced signing like Kovacic from Man City?)
Full Backs: Mykolenko, Doue, Aznou (+1 more RB on loan)
Centre Backs: Branthwaite, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Keane
GK: Pickford, Travers, etc

This starting XI would be quite tasty:

(4-3-3):

Pickford
Doue O'Brien Branthwaite Mykolenko
Garner Dewsbury-Hall Hackney
George Kofane Bowen
Raymond Fox
24 Posted 10/07/2026 at 12:05:53
It's easy saying "Get rid of players" -- but you have to find better; it ain't easy.

I don't think we can afford wholesale changes, I'd keep Gueye for another season if he would sign, Grealish for another one.

We need Patterson as a back up although that's debatable, also keep our two centre-forwards -- was it 17 goals between them, that's not bad at all.

We are overstocked in midfield, but I don't dislike any of them.

Branthwaite can't be relied upon to be fit, Tarkowski and Keane have seen better days, so for me we need at least one other central defender, or maybe Rohl could play there.

Obviously we need a good right-back but there again they don't grow on trees.

Also, a lot depends on if Moyes thinks Dibling and Aznou are ready for the first team...
Annika Herbert
25 Posted 10/07/2026 at 12:09:04
If Grealish had been fit for the last 7 games we would have been in Europe?

Only if he had suddenly become a star centre half because we were leaking goals for fun.
Mark Steers
26 Posted 10/07/2026 at 12:22:43
Ajay 23.

Did you write that rubbish or did you press the lucky dip button on the machine??? Doue, George, Kofane, Bowen... what planet are you on???

George will 100% be the only one playing for us and I will bet anyone as much as they want he will not start a game probably in the first 10 Premier League games of the season.

If he does, we're in trouble: he won't last 45 minutes -- he's not ready, simple. The Premier League is hard -- even for experienced players.
Mike Allison
27 Posted 10/07/2026 at 16:25:58
Kevin, 21,

I'd say we've already got the players to replace them. Branthwaite and O'Brien are our best centre-backs and were last season. Iroegbunam and Garner are different players to Gana but can replace him in the team. George is the ‘Grealish' although obviously less proven and productive thus far.

We need a small number of high-quality players. And much, much better management.

I like Fatawu as a good value, right-wing option, and I've reconciled to the idea of selling Ndiaye for big money if it means leeway to improve in other areas.
Jack Convery
28 Posted 10/07/2026 at 00:24:06
in my opinion we need ;

A better back up for Pickford, a RB, a left footed CB who can also play LB, a Defensive midfielder back up, a RW, a CF.

Therefore sell :
Taverner - 5m.
Patterson £15.
Tim £15m
McNeill £20m
Barry £20m
N'Diaye £60m
total = £135m

I would suggest Malang Sarr on a free from Lens, who were 2nd to PSG and won the French Cup. He's a left footed CB who has played as a LB, on 41 occasions. Aged 27 and as a LB is coming into the age bracket when he should be reaching the peak of his footballing career. We are supposed to be looking at Estave from Burnley, along with several other clubs. He's 24, left footed and valued at around £35m. Only played LB once.
I'm off for a sleep as I'm supposed to be recovering from an operation. Everton it does this to you.
Mike Allison
29 Posted 11/07/2026 at 09:50:26
Does anyone know anything about Mexx Meerdinck in real life? He shows up in scouting databases, computer games and so on. Great youth record but behind Troy Parrott at AZ. Could be a right cheeky ‘project’ buy if his real life abilities match what you can find online.

Failing that we can sign his rival for the AZ back up striker role: Jizz Hornkamp

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jizz-hornkamp/profil/spieler/185817
Geoff Lambert
30 Posted 11/07/2026 at 11:38:07
"Only if he had suddenly become a star centre half because we were leaking goals for fun."
Best form of defence is ?????.
Brian Wilkinson
31 Posted 11/07/2026 at 12:15:47
Hackney championship player of the season, you heard that right and by all accounts a very good player, but let’s look deeper into Championship player of the year also ran.

Harrison Armstrong, ripping it up at Preston, man of the match most games, had Preston flying in third position end of December, then comes the recall to Everton, had no choice really with afcoms and Dewsbury hall injuries.

However mid January when key players Ndiaye and Gueye returns, Armstrong gets pushed out to the left side of midfield, before being dropped, Moyes could have sent Armstrong back to Preston end of January to finish his loan spell and progression, very bad Management not sending the player back.

Then the most baffling two of all, plays Aznou in a cameo and to be fair looks handy, to then go the rest of the season without even a single minute in the Premier league I just cannot figure out, but more so Rohl looked a beast at Villa park, then for whatever reason, McNeil started in front of him for large parts of the second half of the season.

People wii say if only Grealish was fit last 8 games we would have made Europe

If you want to put blame anyone, look no further than Moyes, his stubbornness to keep Tarks and Keane as centre back pairing, while our best fit centre half O,Brien played at right back, those 8 games of conceeding loads of goals was what cost us big time, both Barry and Beto had found some form and were chipping in with goals, but the defence were conceeding soft goals by the bucketful.

So you want to know should Everton make a statement signing, we already have Rohl and Armstrong, we have an 18 year old tearing it up for the youngsters, but not even the thought of at least giving Graham 10 mins from the bench, ready or not unless you are brave enough like our neighbours across the park, and Champions Arsenal both being brave enough to try 16 year olds out then what is the point of having youngsters like, Graham, George, Armstrong, Aznou, Dibbling, if the Manager is going to stick to his fav 11.

Unless Moyes changes his ways and quick, we are in for another punching above our weight season, will Moyes be brave enough and trust certain players and change his style, we will find out soon enough.

As for a statement signing, no guarentee the player will start.
Mark Steers
32 Posted 11/07/2026 at 13:05:43
I hate banging this drum but you have to understand the player who has caused us to be stagnant is Coleman. He should've been sent packing 5 seasons.

While paying him high wages for nothing coming back, we've had to play people like Kenny, Godfrey, Young, O'Brien, Garner... and probably more I can't think of.

Now pre-season has started and still no right-back... it's beyond belief!!! Oh Davey Moyes is probably still in America, gross mismanagement -- and sadly the owners don't care.

Good luck shopping at Aldi. That's what it feels like being an Evertonian.

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