Another transfer window, another slow start for Everton

(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

At the end of the season, I wrote about the need for Everton to act with decisiveness and urgency this summer.

Three weeks on, the World Cup is well under way and the transfer window is now officially open, yet Everton’s squad remains the same as it was at the end of the campaign. Technically, you could say it’s weaker.

The early signs, in all fairness, were generally positive.

A move for Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney was launched, but that deal now seems to have reached an impasse. I still think it’s likely Hackney ends up as an Everton player, but then again I harbour doubts over whether he should be the priority in midfield.

Transfer windows don’t work in a linear way, though, and clubs have to be ready to pounce on opportunities when they come up.

And it seemed as though there was a confidence that the deal for Hackney would be able to be wrapped up quickly, around Everton’s valuation (which is reportedly in the £15M ballpark).

However, Middlesbrough do not appear to be willing to play ball, at least just yet, and are holding firm on a valuation that is higher than Everton are currently willing to meet.

It also seemed Everton were very much advancing on potential right-back targets, with the initial talk being that the Toffees were very keen to get at least one player, if not two, in before the World Cup got going.

That deadline has now passed, and no players are in the door.

To add to the frustration, there is still no further progress — at least, progress that has become public knowledge — on deals for Jack Grealish or Tyrique George.

In both instances, it seems as though Everton are attempting to negotiate the best deal for the club, which is absolutely what they should be doing.

But, there are decent counterpoints.

The situation with Grealish, in this writer’s opinion, could have been resolved earlier. Sure, it did not help that he has been injured, but the 30-year-old was not that far away from returning by the time the end of the campaign.

If he is so integral to the project, and seen as such a key acquisition, surely there’s a good argument to say that Everton should already have struck a deal with Manchester City to get Grealish in the door well in advance of pre-season, and provide a timely boost.

In George’s case, Everton hold an option. Yet they do not seem willing to exercise it.

That stems from David Moyes’ failure to give George more minutes, and therefore it has made it harder to judge whether the 20-year-old is worth a reported £22-25M outlay right now.

There’ll be those who just want Everton to pay the money, and those who feel it is absolutely right to try and pinch every penny.

The truth is probably somewhere in the middle, and the worry is that Everton let a prime opportunity to sign not only a talented youngster, but one who has settled well at the club and provides the attributes the team sorely lack in wide areas, slip through their fingers. That option won’t be there forever — can they really afford to not take it?

Then there is the contractual situation with Idrissa Gana Gueye, with Everton confirming last week that talks are continuing with the Senegal international’s representatives. But the sense I get is he may well be edging towards the exit door.

With the World Cup going on, and focus on Everton now having to pay close to £40M to Burnley in compensation (subject to an appeal, which is likely to drag on into next season), the cynics among the fanbase may suggest there are some convenient excuses flying around for the powers that be not to have acted sooner.

I do not quite fall into that camp just yet, but it is certainly frustrating.

Everton, I feel, did show an eagerness to act with some urgency, yet so far, the results are more of the same. They cannot allow June to drag on too much longer before doing business, and the pressure has to be on Everton’s deal-makers to get those deals done at the right price for the club, without them dragging on much longer.

There is simply too much to do this summer, both in terms of ins and outs, for the wheels not to start turning very soon.

Reader Comments (54)

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Annika Herbert 2 Posted 15/06/2026 at 10:17:16

I was reliably informed by an Everton fan from a FB supporters group that, on the opening of the transfer window, Everton would immediately be announcing 2 new signings. When I voiced my doubts, I was swiftly brought crashing back to earth when it was explained that Moyes had demanded early new additions.

Needless to say, I will be visiting said supporter very shortly and be requesting the time when these 2 new signings will be arriving. I won’t be holding my breath

Stu Gre 3 Posted 15/06/2026 at 10:24:56

To be fair I'm not sure many clubs have done any business so far. I assume we have signed Rohl permanently now?

For me it's not so much when, but who we sign. I'm expecting 29 year old big lumps, with very little pace as Moyes builds the team to cement 8th place.

Andrew Ellams 4 Posted 15/06/2026 at 10:28:26

We see this same story every year when only a couple of teams have done any incoming business. It's dull to be honest.

Patric Ridge 5 Posted 15/06/2026 at 10:32:53

#3 and #4 Stu and Andrew

The business has been thin on the ground, granted, but that shouldn't be the same excuse used for Everton.

The lack of decisiveness/urgency/ability to get deals over the line quickly is very frustrating for lots of Evertonians. And sometimes it feels like the club waits until the last moment for key decision-makers to make up their mind.

As I write in the piece, it's not doom and gloom at all, but Everton were wanting to have a new face or two through the door now. So while it's not necessarily a failure or anything like that, it's disappointing.

This was my concern back in January, with talk of 'keeping the powder dry' because it will be easier in the summer. A World Cup very much complicates that.

John Collins 6 Posted 15/06/2026 at 11:18:55

Annika.

Your mate is right. Ive just seen Soucek in the Maccies on Queens Drive. Had a lad with him on a walking stick, could be our new right back?

Ian Jones 7 Posted 15/06/2026 at 11:21:11

Patric, it's about being patient. The window has just opened although it's interesting how other teams seem to announce incoming transfers prior to the official opening. Of course, paperwork and admin probably takes place later when window opens.

However, your para...

'To add to the frustration, there is still no further progress — at least, progress that has become public knowledge — on deals for Jack Grealish or Tyrique George.'

We don't know what's going on behind the scenes..Why should we be a party to all the dealings...

Annika Herbert 8 Posted 15/06/2026 at 11:25:43

Well that gave me a laugh John @ 6. Which is something I very much doubt I will be doing in the new season. But we live in hope

Steve Brown 9 Posted 15/06/2026 at 11:46:37

I'm sure Moyes will wrap up the Soucek deal in his quest to develop the slowest midfield in the league.

The defence will be a challenge as it is no easy feat to source 6ft-7in full-backs.

Phil Roberts 10 Posted 15/06/2026 at 11:47:54

BBC best site for news???

But ATM the only ones involving a Premiership Club are leavers apart from a Nigerian going to Brighton from Sweden.

John Collins 11 Posted 15/06/2026 at 11:52:22

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c621q422lepo

Which one is the Nigerian, Phil?

Tony Abrahams 12 Posted 15/06/2026 at 12:13:02

I got a WhatsApp this morning showing an advertisement about truth and disinformation, which was actually made by the BBC, Phil.

A sad day. Not having to give Everton much thought, has definitely been good for my brain, but the transfer window has opened and now I’m going to start hearing loads of unadulterated shite.

Don’t be negative, take solace in everyone else…but I’m only Interested in Everton, and until we get people throughout our club, who want to make Everton, a successful club again, then it’s best not trying to get exasperated or disheartened listening to those positive excuse makers.

People will be giving N’Diaye, a lot of stick for wanting to leave but until Everton show real ambition who can genuinely blame him?

Adrian Phillips 13 Posted 15/06/2026 at 12:37:10

To be fair we had a shoestring budget, even before Burnley sabotaged it. So we can't do bidding wars and we need to go in low and negotiate hard.

Unfortunately, the start of the window is not the best for bargains or for financially astute deals.

Sean Herbert 14 Posted 15/06/2026 at 12:54:27

Adrian @ 13, how do you know we only have a shoestring budget? Does anyone actually know what our budget is likely to be?

Apart from lots of speculation, I have absolutely no idea what our transfer budget will be.

Keith Gleave 15 Posted 15/06/2026 at 13:20:11

Can people stop being negative. The window opened today. Nobody knows who we are after or have contacted. I agree we need players in, sooner the better, but for once get behind things. I sometimes think if your dog 💩you would blame others.

John Collins 16 Posted 15/06/2026 at 13:47:36

Keith.

We were dogshit for most of last season

Kunal Desai 17 Posted 15/06/2026 at 13:54:01

We'll be low down the pecking order for players. Not in Europe so most likely those that we do bring in most likely will be during pre season and once the season has begun together with a deal or two done late on deadline day if they can get it over the line.

Christy Ring 18 Posted 15/06/2026 at 14:04:13

I know it’s only the first day of the window, but if our opening bid for Hackney, £10m, is anything to go by, it could be a long summer.

Frankie McGrath 19 Posted 15/06/2026 at 14:13:27

I'd like to see a swift signing of Tyrique George. That would be a statement that we are acting and will act further.

As for other signings, that might take a bit longer, especially with the World Cup going on. Please don't sign Delap. He might have worked a year ago, but he's shown no form this year.

Michael Kenrick 20 Posted 15/06/2026 at 14:14:09

Sean @14,

One way to guess would be to apply the Squad Cost Ratio limit of 85% to our estimated annual income.

Based on the previous season's accounts, that was a bit short of £200M. The new stadium must have seen a significant uplift last season... but £250M may be stretching it. Let's say £235M.

So 85% of £235M is just a tad under £200M. Seems a lot, especially as we have been trying to nickel and dime Boro (for Hackney), Chelsea (for George), and Man City (for Grealish).

But if we go by Uefa rules, because of course we are going all out to get into Europe, then it drops to 70%, or £165M.

The unknown for me is whether existing commitments in terms of players' wages etc have to also come out of that? Let's say that's £75M. Which would leave perhaps 'only' £90M for new players.

It's gonna be tight!

Tony Abrahams 21 Posted 15/06/2026 at 14:53:26

Do you not think that what you wrote has been prevalent at Everton, for absolute donkeys years Keith?

My own view of life is that a lot of people make excuses for everything, whereas the people who want to do well and succeed just get their heads down and don’t ever look for excuses.

I’m not criticising the current window, I’m just pointing out that until attitudes genuinely change then people will just continue to accept mediocrity.

Not understanding why the fans weren’t happy because the club never qualified for Europe - “the manager” or being happily dissatisfied - “the CEO” probably explains things better

Alan J Thompson 22 Posted 15/06/2026 at 15:03:02

Has it been considered that Man City's new coach may want a look at and chat with Grealish in an attempt to keep him on which could be delaying confirmation or that similar to George, the fee has been agreed but payment date or players terms are not finalized.

Given an interest and offer has been put in for Hackney and a couple of juniors it would appear there has been movement at the station and in a World Cup year it is likely that talks at this stage would more likely be with Agents rather than with players or clubs direct, and once bitten, by Southampton, our crack Transfer Committee are holding their cards a little closer to the chest, no matter how much might be in it.

John Collins 23 Posted 15/06/2026 at 15:28:50

Thank you to the committee for making the rules crystal clear.

Nobody's got a clue what's happening re our spends availability 200 mil 230 mil 150 mil.

Etc etc. I would be shocked if they spend more than 60 mil

John Collins 24 Posted 15/06/2026 at 15:41:07

Alan J.

George won't sign for Moyes. Why would he ?

Dave Lynch 25 Posted 15/06/2026 at 15:59:34

Do people not think players talk to each other?

What would be the honest appraisal of the club ATM? Safe from relegation, very little chance of a trophy (if any), manager will flog you to death in training, be prepared to play out of position.

Adrian Phillips 26 Posted 15/06/2026 at 16:24:20

Given Everton have little money, they low ball bids or request loans / delayed payments. This makes it difficult to complete deals early in the window, with sellers more inclined to demand asking price. Bargains may be more available towards the end of the window. The problem is it reduces choice particularly if you ard seeking particular positions, good players have usually gone and we are left scavenging for the left overs. This generally means older players on loans or very risky youngsters who have not excited other clubs.

Raymond Fox 27 Posted 15/06/2026 at 17:03:15

We are going to be shopping in the average ability class players market or for class older players past their best. The real quality want to sign for the usual suspects and ones that are in Europe.

We did better than I expected last season up to those very disappointing last 7 games, so we are not a million miles away from being decent although some of our older players will be less able this next season.

Your guess is as good as mine who we will actually sign.

David West 28 Posted 15/06/2026 at 19:25:56

The scr limit maybe £200- 230m but that's not just transfer spending, my understanding is that's transfer fees, wages, fees, agent fees, backroom too. So players we already have on 20-40- 80 - 100k a week effect that budget. So it's not that easy to say 200m to spend.

Someone with a better grasp of the current wage expenditure could deduct it from the 200-230m revenue estimated and come up with the remaining figure, that should give us a better idea of what's left to spend.

Alot depends on outgoings too with this SCR. Keeping a player on big wages who isn't going to play much will be a drain on your SCR budget, which may be why it might be wise to know who's leaving first.

Peter Mitchell 29 Posted 15/06/2026 at 19:42:35

When making these calculations, don't forget amortization of the transfer fees. So, a £60 m fee amortized over a 5 year contract is only £12m out of your budget in year one. A £90m budget translates to 7 such signings with £6m left over. Also, any sales count 100% in the year in question, which can significantly increase the budget. You do have to deduct the annual amortization of previous buys, though. In other words, really difficult to say what the transfer budget is and what it will buy!

Sean Herbert 30 Posted 15/06/2026 at 20:22:29

Keith @ 15, I have 8 dogs and they never own up as to who shit, they all point a paw at each other.

Thanks Michael @ 20, at least I now have some figures to go by. Basically it's all a bit of a guess as to how much we can spend.

Judging by your figures though, it doesn't seem like we will be spending a great deal.

Jim Bennings 31 Posted 15/06/2026 at 20:34:48

Don't expect much this summer.

We still don't know if TFG even exist or rather we as a club exist in their vocabulary, we never hear a peep out of them.

Nobody has said anything and I doubt between now and the end of the World Cup will see any different.

We'll sign a few bums, and a few kids that disappear into no man's land after early Autumn.

If we are lucky getting Jack Grealish back will undoubtedly be our biggest signing, I can't see anything bigger than that coming off.

Mark Boullé 32 Posted 15/06/2026 at 20:36:34

Aren't we also waiting until 1 July and the start of the new football financial year? If I remember rightly, come that date the last of the really bad PSR years falls off the rolling 3 year slate and that, combined with the slightly better SCR rules now coming in, should mean we can spend a bit more freely...

Mike Gaynes 33 Posted 16/06/2026 at 02:07:09

The window JUST opened. Hours ago. And horror of horrors, we haven't signed anybody yet. Shall we all freak out in unison, or in descending order of height?

I have no idea where originated"the initial talk being that the Toffees were very keen to get at least one player, if not two, in before the World Cup got going" but it certainly wasn't anyone in club management. And I'm not sure how that would have worked anyway, since the WC opened four days before the window.

Why should ownership be feeling "urgency" to get business done in June? The WC final is July 19.

I'd like to remind everybody that this ownership team has always been determinedly patient in its football dealings. Friedkin walked away from the bargaining table for months before he bought Roma, and again when he bought Everton.

Same with players. Who were our best signings last summer? I'd say KDH, Grealish and Rohl. August 6, August 12 and September 1 respectively.

(And our only early signing was Barry. Just sayin'...)

That's normal business for TFG. Roma's two biggest signings on Friedkin's watch have been Abraham and Dovbyk, both happening in the third week of August.

This management wants what it wants at the proper price, and is willing to wait for it. And as Ian #7 says, for us it's all about patience -- and ignoring rumors and "initial talk" and stuff like that.

Sean Herbert 34 Posted 16/06/2026 at 02:59:01

So basically Mike @ 33, there is no benefit from buying players early and having them involved in all the pre season?

It certainly wasn't from club management? How do you know this for certain? Do you receive updates directly from the Everton management team?

Your continued defence of the owners borders on obsession. Other teams don't appear to be as patient as Everton,they go out and buy what they need.

Whilst we remain patient waiting for the correct price. Well, that should provide us with some top signings then

Alan J Thompson 35 Posted 16/06/2026 at 06:01:07

John(#24); Why would George sign for Everton? Well, I could make something up like he knows Moyes won't be here long or I could say because he believes Chelsea don't want him as they've agreed his transfer to another club and he sees a better future with a longer contract on higher wages or even his Agent can get a fee if he persuades him to move.

The possibilities are endless but it does appear that in accepting a loan move knowing a transfer fee has been agreed tends to lean toward him being open to the move.

Would his apparent lack of playing time under Moyes deter him? That may depend on whether he thinks Ndiaye is on his way out and Grealish will stay with City, any discussions he might have with the Manager before agreeing to the move or even just getting a full pre-season.

Whatever, I like his turn of foot and direct running which tends to show just how short we are of those qualities in most if not all positions.

Bobby Mallon 36 Posted 16/06/2026 at 06:33:49

My concern and its a big one is Moyes has fucked off to the world cup with talk sport when in my opinion he should be here buying a right back another athletic centre back and a striker. He should be dismissing rumours about Ndiay and telling the hierarchy that they can find another manager if they don't get players in.

Eric Myles 37 Posted 16/06/2026 at 06:39:52

Bobby, Moyes has obviously told the ace recruitment team what he wants in the transfer window. Now it's up to the money men to get it sorted while he's off on his jollies.

Paul Griffiths 38 Posted 16/06/2026 at 06:49:00

Eric, aren't the ace recruitment team the ones who should be coming up with the names or do they sit on their arses all year - quite possible - waiting to hear who Moyes wants them to get?

Paul Hewitt 39 Posted 16/06/2026 at 06:51:16

See some reports today that we are in negotiations to resign John Stones. If that's true then seriously what's the point. ?

Mike Gaynes 40 Posted 16/06/2026 at 06:57:42

Sean #34, it certainly didn’t seem to hurt Grealish or KDH that they missed two months of summer training before they signed. I seem to recall they both played great right out of the gate. Just laced up their shoes, put on their game kit and got it done.

Sure, it would be great if we were like Real Madrid and bagged €200m worth of players in the first few hours of the window. Sorry we ain’t. TFG doesn’t seem to do its business that way.

I hope you get over it sooner rather than later. I think this ownership is gonna be around for a long time. And I don’t think they care one bit what some supporters think about how they deal with transfers.

Mark Murphy 41 Posted 16/06/2026 at 07:12:52

Hewey, hopefully to replace Tarkowski or Keane in the Centre Back partnership with Branthwaite. That would be an improvement, yes?

Eric Myles 42 Posted 16/06/2026 at 07:13:41

Paul #38, but isn't Moyes supposedly the King in these transfer dealings? At least that's what most on here believe, and now you're saying it's the recruitment team?

David #28, my guesstimate was £20 million which means we need to sell to buy...again.

Paul Griffiths 43 Posted 16/06/2026 at 07:20:40

Nah Eric. What, therefore, is the point of an expensively assembled recruitment team then?

All of this is based on a single comment from Moyes and I don't trust a single word that comes out of his mouth.

The crack costly recruiters and Moyes are in charge but no way is Moyes the main voice, and, actually, a fair number on here do notthink that he was in some of last summer's buys.

The crack recruiters were not in place until September 2026 and they are running things now and they had better do an excellent job.

Footy no longer runs on the Moyes way, if it ever did.

Ian Bennett 45 Posted 16/06/2026 at 07:35:58

The easy way to get players in, is to over pay for them. Big transfer fees and big wages, and then watch them walk out for frees at the end of their deals when you cant move them on. Isn't that the Moshiri era in a nutshell?

Sensible negotiation, having a valuation and sticking to it, is a boring approach, but how things need to be done. Certainly for the start of the window.

The club can bend and flex, to ensure the right players come in, for the right outlay through the window.

And consider the players position. The top players that we should be after, will have more than just Everton after them. Those players will be assessing their options, to get the best club they can.

We need players that will truly take the club forward, not just squad fillers. I watched the Scotland game on Sunday. Che Adams is rubbish, but he was pick of the players, Doak is a mile off being an answer, and Patterson nothing more than a bench warmer. If any are answers to Everton football club, God help us.

Tony Abrahams 46 Posted 16/06/2026 at 07:55:08

Very true Ian. The easy way doesn’t always, if ever really work, so it’s got to be one hundred percent about finding the best way to move forward.

The problem I have is that the best way and David Moyes, isn’t really a good enough combination, imo.

Annika Herbert 47 Posted 16/06/2026 at 08:02:51

Mike @ 40, correct me if I am wrong here, but weren’t both Grealish and KDH both premier league players prior to joining us? Not regulars admittedly but knew what the premiership is all about. Players from outside the premier league won’t have that same experience.

I am sure this ownership doesn’t care what supporters think of their transfer dealings. Because, at this moment in time, we have nothing to think about. I suspect that will remain the same throughout this transfer window.

Personally I have doubts that THG will be around long term. I think they are here to make big bucks and a sale in the none too distant future wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest.

Mick O\\\'Malley 48 Posted 16/06/2026 at 08:13:42

We know this is is going to be like every other summer for the last 10 years or so, players coming in well after pre season training has started, not up to speed for Dour Davey, then they will get a chance come. September time, the world cup definitely affects the transfer window so I'm expecting the usual late arrivals Yes I know we signed some players last summer but there are definite positions in the team that need strengthening immediately,.I'll go ballistic if I see Jake OBrien at right back and Keane next to soft lad come the first game of the season

John Collins 49 Posted 16/06/2026 at 08:39:37

And I don’t think they care one bit what some supporters think about how they deal with transfers.

I don't think they care what supporters think about anything Mike G

Tony Abrahams 50 Posted 16/06/2026 at 09:17:13

If they don’t John, then they are definitely going to find out the hard way in the end mate.

John Collins 51 Posted 16/06/2026 at 09:23:22

Hopefully Tony. The fat phony got away with it for years though mate.

Ashley Krotosky 52 Posted 16/06/2026 at 10:25:46

I think the transfer decisions in the window that straddles the W/C is the most difficult to get right, featuring the shop window for most of the world's best players. There are many potential great talents on show, with all teams of substance seeking to flex their muscles -and 'cheque-books'. However judging character and resilience is probably that much harder to assess than raw talent, particularly with the players from the so-called lesser teams. Players that reach the latter stages will be in great need of a rest come the end of the tournament, requiring a delayed 'pre-season' which diminishes their value to any team they will be joining. Sadly our recruiters seem to have enough trouble making good calls even without the extra challenge that a W/C brings.

Ajay Gopal 53 Posted 16/06/2026 at 10:48:35

Hopefully, Everton scouts are not looking at ‘flash in the pan’ World Cup successes. We all know what happened with Yeri Mina, who scored 3 World Cup goals in 2018 (I think). We signed him for a huge fee from Barcelona and he turned out to be a massive let down. Most well run teams would have identified their targets - whether they are playing at the World Cup or not - and will go after them.

Rob Dolby 54 Posted 16/06/2026 at 11:04:33

Depressing reading stuff like this. Brighton are active in the market and have just signed a right back, other clubs are active. We are waiting for the August fire sale again.

I don't want a return to Koemans kid in a sweet shop but I wouldn't mind addressing the glaringly obvious gaps in the team.

You just know another season of mediocrity awaits. Ndiaye making noises about European football. Alcaraz linked with moves away. Meanwhile we can't even agree a deal with a championship player to play in a position we don't even need.