Ranking Everton’s transfer priorities for the summer window | OneFootball

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Last summer represented serious squad surgery for Everton, as a wealth of senior names headed for the exit door and nine new faces arrived to replace them. Even given that substantial amount of change, this summer is expected to be another busy period for the club’s deal-makers.

​The finances available, and which market Everton are potentially shopping in, may still be determined by this season’s run-in. With six games to go, the Blues are nestled nicely in the European chase, a point behind Chelsea in the Europa League berth, and five from Champions League qualification.

​Though there’s plenty of uncertainty, the hope will be that transfer plans are already accelerating. I’ve attempted to rank the summer’s transfer wish-list by priority.

1. Centre-forward

​Top of the list should be a goalscorer who can elevate this team up a level. Few teams challenge the status quo without a reliable source of goals, and neither Thierno Barry nor Beto has proven to be that.

Only five teams have scored fewer goals than Everton this season, with four players, including Barry and Beto, tied as the club’s top scorer on six Premier League goals.

​The latter’s recent purple patch has been welcomed, but a return of 18 league goals over three seasons paints its own picture. Barry’s promise has been demonstrated only fleetingly, and if the club receives substantial offers for either, there will be a temptation to cash in.

​The problem, of course, is unearthing consistent goalscorers. Last summer, 10 centre-forwards were purchased by Premier League clubs for fees of £30M and above. Just three, Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike, and Viktor Gyokeres, have reached double figures for Premier League goals, and none have scored more than 14.

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2. Right-back

​A situation that has become a saga. Right-back has been a problem position that the club has repeatedly failed to address, with a long-term successor to Seamus Coleman still to be found. Nathan Patterson’s future appears to be away from Everton, while Jake O’Brien has been the more common fix.

​David Moyes may argue the trade-off between O’Brien’s defensive work and attacking limitations is worthwhile, but there’s no doubt the Blues need a more recognised right-back.

The continuation of the O’Brien experiment could also stunt the Irishman’s development centrally, where he should be viewed as the long-term partner to Jarrad Branthwaite.

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3. Right-wing

​Regardless of whether Jack Grealish or Tyrique George return permanently, a wide option with a preference for the right should be targeted.

Grealish, George, and Iliman Ndiaye all favour the left, while Tyler Dibling’s debut season has been difficult, with only 343 minutes of Premier League football to his name. The 20-year-old is by no means a write-off, but a failure to earn the manager’s trust means regular football may be found elsewhere before he makes a first-team impression.

​A clear upgrade from the right, and an injection of goal-threat and creativity, could take his team up a level. Fulham free agent Harry Wilson has been a name mentioned regularly on these channels in recent months and he would fit the bill.

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4. Defensive midfield

​This summer appears to be the time to replace Idrissa Gana Gueye. The veteran has continued to perform to a good level, but will turn 37 in September and no longer has the capacity to be an ever-present.

Everton have high hopes for Merlin Rōhl and Harrison Armstrong, though neither is in the Gueye mould.

An out-and-out ball-winner to support James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall would give Everton one of the most tenacious engine rooms in the Premier League.

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5. Left-back

A transfer focus that could shift in priority once clarity is provided on Vitalli Mykolenko’s future. The Ukrainian’s deal is up in the summer with no public announcement on an extension.

​Mykolenko has polarised opinion in the fanbase, but his honest defensive work has earned favour with Moyes, who often prefers a safety-first approach. Rarely seen this season, Adam Aznou could benefit from a loan, so a signing at left-back should be sought, regardless of Mykolenko’s future.

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Reader Comments (10)

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I have a feeling that Barry will return to France as I don't think he has ever looked comfortable and looks homesick to me.

Beto should definitely be kept for his physicality, work ethic and the fact he can score even not being presented with a glut of chances. I am sure we have scouted many potential candidates, it's a matter of if there is another Thiago out there... perhaps we should follow Brentford scouts about as they always seem to scout well in this area.

The right-back saga will be interesting as of links with Rico Lewis, a right-back who can play holding midfield and replace Gueye there... ?

Harry Wilson could be a good fit on the right, also the type of deal Moyes would like being a free and releasing funds to but spent elsewhere on the like of keeping Grealish and George.

Defensive midfield, if we bring a player in then who will get shipped out? Tim Iroegbunam? Rohl has only just been brought in. There is no doubt Moyes likes a big unit in there as a strong presence.

I think the Manager may dip into the Championship for Hackney "if" Boro are willing to sell, and if they get promotion, which would make things a lot harder.

Left-back, I think Moyes will keep Mykolenko, he is a good full-back, solid if unspectacular.

Martin - Signing the Brentford scouts might be the best bet! They seem to know a goalscorer when they see one.

I like Hackney, but I think a more naturally defensive-minded midfielder should be the priority.

Joao Gomes of Wolves could be a good bet. He's been linked with some big spenders but none seem to be prioritising him. Most tackles won in the Premier League last season, and top again this season. He was second in 2023-24 too. Might be worth an article...

Tom Bowers 3 Posted 15/04/2026 at 15:36:50

Harry Wilson has shown a lot of prowess over the last few months but I also like Bowen of West Ham if they get relegated.

Of course many players will be up for grabs and, as is usua,l the moneybags will get first pick.

We do have some talent but those key positions, striker, right-back and another strong midfielder are the priorities to bring in.

Money is always the key issue and Everton are down the pecking order so it could come down to bargains and loans.

Bill Hawker 4 Posted 15/04/2026 at 17:43:06

Right back and left back are the absolute priorities before any other positions.

These two positions have been a problem going on three years now. They must be addressed first. We need two wingbacks that can not only defend, but can attack and keep opposing teams on the back foot.

Once those are covered, then we can address the other positions. But I'm firmly in the be position of right back (so O'Brien can move to CB with Branthwaite) and left back with Mikky as a dependable backup.

Gaute Lie 5 Posted 15/04/2026 at 18:56:06

A defensive midfielder with the ability to score and pass the ball would be needed. And the ability to tackle like Tony Hibbert.

And a striker and a right back.

We'll see what we get in the summer!

Mick Springstein 6 Posted 15/04/2026 at 20:02:02

The idea of sourcing another CF was to bring another style to our forward threat. Both Beto and Barry are fairly identical in their approach with Beto showing the greater physicality. I never really got the point of bringing in Betos thinner twin when you have KDH and Ndiaye which puts them both to shame on their versatility. Whoever Moyes brings in I hope it's someone willing to shoot from anywhere and has that sixth sense to get on the end of crosses. Myko like McNeil have their moments but both are so limited by ability that it's hard to see them staying on. Not fast enough and neither can use both feet. Stones makes no sense to me. But I would be enquiring about a loan for Foden having secured a lower fee for Grealish.

Do we have some useful gen on our on loan players?

Harrison Armstrong has come back as a proven squad player with the potential to be a big part of the squad next season.

Do we have any others ripping it up away from the club who are likely to be pressing for a place before we fork out the big bucks?

I am assuming that the Number 6 role cover for Gana Gueye is already here in the form of Rohl, Iroegbunam or Dewsbury-Hall.

Whether Ndiyaye or Grealish can be converted to a Number 10 role to accommodate another speedy winger, I don't know. But these questions will all be being looked at by the management before they spend our still limited budget.

The only certainty is that, whether they are on the books already, or we need to bring in fresh faces, the squad next season will need to look a little different if we are to compete both domestically and in Europe.

Tony Waring 9 Posted 16/04/2026 at 09:38:53

I'll leave it to Moyes and his mates to get extra players in but I also hope that we don't get into Europe.

Having seen the likes of PSG rip Liverpool apart -- not to mention the highlights from Bayern, Atletico and the rest -- we will do well to consolidate our position towards the top of the Premier League.

Minik Hansen 10 Posted 16/04/2026 at 13:49:09

As we need two right-backs, I believe it's the first priority.

A new centre forward, yes, it could be good if Beto is willing to be a back-up, and loaning out Barry.

Gana has been underrated at times, we need someone in that mould -- I've been having high hopes for Iroegbunam, as long as he steps up his quick decision-making.

We don't have proper cover for the left-back position -- if we get a good one, and we tie Mykolenko down, is he willing to play as a back-up?

It's hard to fix everything at once, so big job ahead!