One month out — Everton's transfer clock is ticking

In a month’s time, Everton will kick-off their Premier League campaign by taking on Crystal Palace at home.

We’re only just one game into pre-season, with matches against Bolton Wanderers and Stoke City to come in the next week before the Toffees head off to Germany for fixtures against Hamburg and Stuttgart. Clashes with Newcastle United and Lille round out pre-season.

And while there’s still plenty of time for Everton to address issues, and it’s not yet the time to panic, we are now essentially on the countdown towards the 2026-27 campaign, and there is still lots of work to do.

Only two signings have come in (discounting Merlin Röhl’s loan move being turned permanent, which was set in stone anyway) — Tyrique George, who spent the back half of last season here anyway, and Hayden Hackney.

Everton still don’t have a right-back — in fact, the movement has mainly been outgoings in that position, with Seamus Coleman leaving and talks continuing over Nathan Patterson’s potential exit.

And while Everton are clearly attempting to find value in the market while also attempting to bring in their high-priority targets, it’s probably fair to say it’s time to get a move on.

There’s a need to keep cool heads, that’s for sure, but the closer August gets, the more the pressure will ramp up.

Everton can’t just focus on right-backs, either; they need another winger — and if Iliman Ndiaye were to leave, another two (Jack Grealish is an obvious candidate, but a deal must be struck with Manchester City) — and they should really be targeting a left-back, with Adam Aznou sent on loan if he is not going to get the required minutes next season.

They also need a natural defensive midfielder, while we are still in the dark as to the future of Idrissa Gueye.

The clock’s ticking, and that’s without touching on the prospect of selling players: Dwight McNeil needs to be moved on, while Tim Iroegbunam and Carlos Alcaraz could attract interest later in the window, even if the club aren’t necessarily desperate to part ways with them. If an offer comes in for Mark Travers, it’s likely to be accepted, meaning a back-up goalkeeper could be on the agenda.

All in all, it just feels Everton have been a bit too slow. I have written time and time again about the need for urgency and while both of the deals so far have shown that ensuring a deal is done on the club’s terms is sensible, as the window progresses, that patience will wear thin.

As mentioned, there’s no need to panic just yet, but this time next week, there just has to have been some more movement. We cannot be so thin on the ground heading into the key bulk of pre-season, when it becomes not just about fitness, but about sharpness and the tactical side of the game; of how Everton will be looking to play and develop in 2026-27.

There’s a lot to do, and this recruitment team has had long enough to get a plan together. They really do need to begin executing it with a bit more speed.

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Keith Gleave 1 Posted 22/07/2026 at 10:21:02

A few weeks ago, before the window opened, I remarked about patience with transfers. The World Cup was a significant distraction. However, as stated, we are only 4 weeks from our opening season game, with only one new player on the books.

This now tries my patience because we need a number of players, they need pre-season conditioning and time to gel together. Many names have been linked, some better than others. The better ones seem to have gone elsewhere.

So, I ask myself: What is happening? Have we no money, no plan, no players we desire?? Or have we got a number contacted quietly and awaiting a reply???

Either way, we need some comment from the club on our direction of travel. If we bring no one else in, I fear the direction is down and out of the Premier League this season...

I still hold on to hope, as every Evertonian has done for years -- it is our forte.

Jim Bennings 2 Posted 22/07/2026 at 10:34:51

I don't even pretend to be shocked or surprised anymore.

We'll start the season with O'Brien right-back, Mykolenko left-back, and probably Keane and Tarkowski in the middle with McNeil starting over George.

The Grealish thing will probably still be up in the air on Deadline Day, with either Barry or Beto starting, then getting subbed after 70 minutes when the other has failed to deliver.

Raymond Fox 3 Posted 22/07/2026 at 10:45:52

Wewill sign more players and sell a couple; how good the signings will be is any ones guess. Probably in the £15-£25M range and loans.

I also think we will sign Grealish on another season's loan. Sorry, Dave.

Mike Powell 4 Posted 22/07/2026 at 10:45:59

Still no right-back???

Bobby Mallon 5 Posted 22/07/2026 at 10:55:08

Anybody know what date the ballot opens for the Palace game?

Tony Abrahams 6 Posted 22/07/2026 at 11:29:24

Second summer, third transfer window and the way we have been operating takes me back to the times when Bill Kenwright used to have to beg, steal and borrow so Everton could do some last-minute deals in the transfer window.

Last summer was an embarrassment with regard to the way pre-season went. I know not everyone would agree with me but, above all else, I crave complete professionalism, so I'm best just switching off for now.

John Pickles 7 Posted 22/07/2026 at 11:58:56

With most positions we need to bring in 'just the right person' at 'just the right price'. They have to provide competition, replace or back-up the players who already play there. I get it.

But for right-back it's different, we just need one who can compete in the Premier League, we don't need to find the next Dani Alves.

Price? we're desperate, so immaterial! Are they going to compete with what we've got? we haven't got another right-back, so immaterial! That's it, how fucking difficult can it be!

Sean Mitchell 8 Posted 22/07/2026 at 12:02:50

My money is on no right-back being signed and Rohl being square-pegged there.

Watch this space!

Frank Worrall 9 Posted 22/07/2026 at 12:07:56

The start of every season is like watching Groundhog Day! List after list of potential new signings which all disappear when reality kicks in. What happened to the negotiations for strikers and full-backs for example?

Newcomers to the Premier League seem to have no difficulty in attracting players to Hull, Coventry and Ipswich, even when we dangle the "fabulous new stadium" and other titbits in front of them.

It's all so predictable and depressing with no indication that things will ever improve.

10 Posted 22/07/2026 at 12:15:40

We are a potentially huge football club in the Premier League but we appear to be an afterthought where the Friedkins are concerned. They will be happy to hear we have not been relegated come the end of the season and so it will continue until they sell us.

'Expect nothing' is how I need to view my club these days and then, if I do see any marginal progress, I can view that as simply a bonus to the ongoing stagnating condition of my club.

Chelsea have 3 players for every possible position. We have nowhere near that. Our recruitment is shot and I've never seen Dan Friedkin, either at Goodison Park or Hill Dickinson Stadium.

They promised to be so much more. Roma is their baby, not us. I expect they will eventually put us up for adoption. I can only hope we go to a loving new family. We are just a big building in Liverpool that makes the Friedkins some money.

It's like us owning a shed down the bottom of our garden. Whereas I would occasionally visit the shed to check it's still sound, where are they?

It's a pitiful state of affairs and seeing a pregnant Moyes just angers me. I'll still read but that's my last post for the foreseeable...

Raymond Fox 11 Posted 22/07/2026 at 12:16:08

The prices for the top-quality players has really gone completely barmy, it's another barrier that your big 5 or 6 clubs, who can it seems sfford to buy one or two of your £100M players, have erected.

Not only that but it puts the value and asking price of other lesser players up, including ours, but that goes for every team in the Premier League.

Annika Herbert 12 Posted 22/07/2026 at 12:19:22

Not to worry, our supposed crack recruitment team are on the case. Any day now there will be an explosion of incomings.

Well, that's what I keep hoping anyway. But it's depressing searching every website I can find hoping to read we are on the verge of an exciting new signing and seeing absolutely nothing.

Didn't Dour Davie mention bringing in new players early?

At this moment in time, I have no great hopes for the new season. In fact, I am starting to dread it.

But I still live in hope things will change prior to kick off. As I have done for the last 30-odd years.

Andrew Ellams 13 Posted 22/07/2026 at 12:25:45

I've seen reports that the club are turning down loan offers for Aznou as they want to move him on permanently.

PSV, Porto and Benfica all reportedly interested.

Stu Darlington 14 Posted 22/07/2026 at 12:27:56

With Everton, you never know what's going on behind the scenes with regard to the transfer market. They play their cards very close to their chest...always have.

I know this can be terribly frustrating for supporters, especially when we see other clubs active in the market, often signing players we have allegedly been linked with. However, we still have a month before the opening game against Palace, so we have got to hope that things are moving behind the scenes.

All our supporters know which positions need strengthening so we have got to believe that the experts at the club know this as well as we do. If we fail to fill these positions adequately, leaving us having to play players out of position or who are now past their best, then I fear that what Keith says @1 above may be very prophetic: Moyes will be gone by January and we will be struggling yet again in the bottom half.

It's being so cheerful keeps me going!

Jim Bennings 15 Posted 22/07/2026 at 12:55:57

Has signing players and building a squad got significantly more difficult than when Moyes was last here, really?

I know he had 11 long years and each summer it seemed to just be adding one or two cogs to a team that was finishing in the top 6 in most seasons, the likes of a Fellaini would be added to a midfield of Arteta, Cahill, Pienaar etc.

But why nowadays do we have such an issue now trying to put a cohesive unit together?

Brian Wilkinson 16 Posted 22/07/2026 at 12:57:32

It is always tough getting players in during a world cup year, prices are way overflated, but not only that players will be getting some time off for Holidays to spend with their families.

Things will start to pick up in a week or so, what I would do is ignore clickbait about players speaking to Everton, then suddenly another team seems to buy them, thats normally down to the players agent, spreading gossip to to buy his player.

Everton will be linked to many players and by going off the media, we are looking at 40+ players, each rumour made up then disappointment when the player signs elsewhere.

We are now living in a clickbait era, wbich needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.

If the right players become available then Everton will be in there, and if a ridiculous bid comes in for one of our players then Everton will sell, not because we are a selling club but getting a huge amount of money makes sense in the long term, if that money can be spent on three different areas of the field.

We all know a right back is a must and hopefully a top quality centre forward, others areas need to be addressed as well, so all being well in the coming weeks, we will have brought our targets in, but a little patience is needed.

Jay Lewis 17 Posted 22/07/2026 at 13:06:39

Pape Gueye incoming soon, apparently...

Ajay Gopal 18 Posted 22/07/2026 at 13:21:16

We need to see some smart wheeling and dealing like Villa are doing. Of course, they have the advantage of being in the Champions League and having a coach well regarded by players. I guess that they will put in a bid for Ndiaye, and if it is in the £60-70M region, Everton should consider selling.

I would also be tempted to cut our losses on Dibling and sell him to a newly promoted team. We can probably recover about £25M if we did that. Our recruitment team can use those funds along with sales of McNeil, Patterson, possibly Iroegbunam to rebuild the squad in the key areas that we all know need strengthening.

For me, the biggest disappointment is that David Moyes is still our manager. TFG missed a trick by not signing Glasner when he was available, and I think we will look back and think of it as a massive missed opportunity.

Kunal Desai 19 Posted 22/07/2026 at 13:32:16

We'll be short on players when the window closes. It's nothing new. Happens every season and will happen again. At best, end of the season we can say 13th again, ole, ole.

Players, managers, staff join the RS to win silverware and trophies. Players, managers, staff join Everton FC for a bumper pay day.

Terry Downes 20 Posted 22/07/2026 at 14:14:27

Have we signed Fatawa from Leicester???

I've been away... not heard either way???

Paul Hewitt 21 Posted 22/07/2026 at 14:15:15

Soon?

I read he was signing two weeks ago.

Joe McMahon 22 Posted 22/07/2026 at 14:19:01

Ajay, agreed.

Nottm Forest are now another team with more pull than us. I think they will climb the table more than David's play-not-to-lose Blues.

Andrew Ellams 23 Posted 22/07/2026 at 14:35:36

Terry,

Nope... looks like he's off to Ipswich.

Brendan McLaughlin 24 Posted 22/07/2026 at 14:36:39

Terry #20,

He went to Ipswich for around £20M.

Jay Lewis 25 Posted 22/07/2026 at 14:44:40

Paul @21,

Apparently fee agreed, just need to agree terms and pass the medical.

Jay Harris 26 Posted 22/07/2026 at 15:06:25

I said on another post we should have been ready to get Wan Bissaka as soon as the season ended. For £10-15M, it was a no-brainer and would not have stopped us then pursuing the likes of Rico Lewis or Djed Spence, who both can operate in other positions, including left-back.

Why did we let Fatawa go to Ipswich and potentially also Maeda?This so-called "Elite" Recruitment team is providing more questions than answers.

Also, we surely are not going to rely on Beto and Bambi on Ice up front next season.

After watching the Blues for over 65 years, I still feel flat despite the TFG takeover from the self-titled "Greatest Evertonian".

Christy Ring 27 Posted 22/07/2026 at 15:32:17

Still don't understand why it takes years to sign a right back? Wan-Bissaka was the No 1 target, then we moved on to Spence and Lewis.

Today, it's reported Moyes wants Johnson from Celtic, a player who missed a big part of the season with a recurring hamstring problem? Can we not just identify one fullback and sign him? How is it so simple at other clubs?

Sean O\\\'Hanlon 28 Posted 22/07/2026 at 17:05:15

I'd love to get excited with the season starting soon, the prospect of new signings, a feeling of optimism etc., but those days are long gone. With Moyes still at the helm, I'm infused with a strong sense of déjà vu & pessimism. We won nothing during his first managerial stint of 12 year - and this previous year for his second stint, resulted in a complete shambles! Throwing away the chance of playing in Europe! I still can't believe that last home game against Sunderland! ToffeeWeb comments from fans this season, will sadly be a replica of last season's comments.

Darren Hind 29 Posted 22/07/2026 at 18:54:07

Of course people are frustrated by the inertia, but they shouldn't be surprised.

The guy who boasted he had final say on who comes in has been moonlighting all summer. Maybe now he can turn his attentions to his day job.

Raymond Fox 30 Posted 22/07/2026 at 19:45:43

We need another centre-back as well, our two ageing centre-backs will not be getting better and will be more prone to get injured.

Plus, Branthwaite unfortunately can't be relied on to stay fit for long. If we don't get another one, it could go pear-shaped very quickly.

Ian Bennett 31 Posted 22/07/2026 at 21:05:50

Or maybe the better quality player that the scouting team are interested in, are waiting to see if there is a better offer than Everton.

All players and clubs will have their own idea on targets, price and wages. And no one is going to fold that early in the window without exploring what is best for them.

A good quality player we will be interested in, will have half the Premier League, Europe and Saudi after them. If anyone thinks we are outbidding that, then theyre in cloud cuckoo land.

Summerville is a prime example. Decent player, Roma sent a private jet to pick him up, and Saudis blew them out the water with a £68M bid and huge wages. £30M more than Roma.

It is great to pretend that Moyes has that much sway. The sad reality is Everton Football Club is waiting for the players other clubs don't want. The club isn't paying top dollar. The last 5-year net spend vs what clubs are paying for Rogers, Anderson, Isak etc should tell us that. £75M if you're asking... net.

The cash outlay for Hackney: £5.5M upfront. And yes, the decimal is in the right place.

This club has still got a long way to go.

David West 32 Posted 22/07/2026 at 21:23:16

Christy @27,

If you read and believe all the transfer "updates" you're bound to get frustrated. I'm frustrated, not that we haven't signed players that the crappy websites link us to, but that we haven't just got deals done for the glaring gaps in the squad at right-back and right-wing.

One thing I would say is, the Hackney deal wasn't a big secret, everyone seemed to know we were in for him, so why would other signings be done in secret?

There's probably some truth to some of the players linked on some of these reports, some might sign, some go somewhere else, some were never even in the equation. Some will come, some will be underwhelming, some may be somewhat surprising, maybe, probably, could be, definitely, done deal, just a medical, seen at John Lennon Airport, a cert.

Or just wait and see!!

Dale Self 33 Posted 22/07/2026 at 23:29:17

Summerville can go to Hellal.

Join the forgotten, get yer paycheck.

Paul Griffiths 34 Posted 23/07/2026 at 03:23:42

I find that move bizarre Dale. He had a decent World Cup and his stock in the Premier League is high. He's 24, feck's sake.

This is, needless to say, not a career move. Looks like TFG are losing out on players at Roma.

Paul Griffiths 35 Posted 23/07/2026 at 03:29:44

Mark Ryan (10): What???? How can this be?

... It's a pitiful state of affairs and seeing a pregnant Moyes just angers me.

Eric Myles 36 Posted 23/07/2026 at 07:43:47

Paul #34, that's the age I was when I made the move to the sand pits, it was good for my career, not to mention bank balance.

Paul Griffiths 37 Posted 23/07/2026 at 07:55:07

Ah Eric but we started from a far far smaller start mate with no prospect of a dazzling multi-million quid career ahead of us in Blighty. He will regret this move professionally in due course as his bank a/c bulges and bulges.

Darren Hind 38 Posted 23/07/2026 at 08:09:42

"Its great to pretend that Moyes has that much sway".

Hahaha I wonder where people got that idea from ?

Eric Myles 39 Posted 23/07/2026 at 08:17:58

Paul, the only thing about dazzling multi-million quids in UK is the TAX you have to pay.

Eric Myles 40 Posted 23/07/2026 at 08:26:48

Paul #35, when Moyes get's them running up and down the dunes in training in Ainsdale (?), he'd better be with them. Otherwise they'll give him some stick.

Michael Kenrick 41 Posted 23/07/2026 at 09:22:22

The Grealish situation is headlined in Thei Paper today, but without any sign of resolution as the waiting game continues:

Four Everton players who could leave – and the latest on Jack Grealish

The other four are pretty much common knowledge, as outlined above: Ndiaye, McNeil, Aznou, Beto...

Elsewhere, suggestions that Everton kept a close eye on Norway'sJens Petter Hauge during the World Cup... which is a lot more than I did, but I couldn't see much past Drummer Boy Erling Haaland.

Has Hauge even been given a mention on these pages...?

Another name I saw yesterday wasLois Openda, who must be a prime candidate as the 26-year-old has flooped at Juventus... but they seem to throw a new name in the hat on a daily basis -- and we supposedly have to battle it out with Fulham and Lyon. Honestly, it's all just so mind-numbing and tedious.

Dave Lynch 42 Posted 23/07/2026 at 09:31:53

Moyes "must" have a say on who comes in...any manager would want a say.

Moyes though is a serial loser who has an aversion to attacking football, so I won't hold my breath on a proper striker.

Mick O\\\'Malley 43 Posted 23/07/2026 at 09:34:32

Paul, agree about going to Saudi, Jhon Duran lasted 13 games there before going on loan to Turkey last season and has just signed on loan for someone else, I think that's about 7 clubs by the age of 22.

Regarding that Johnston who plays for Celtic, good god, I hope that's bullshit cos I watched him a few times last season and he couldn't pass water. He just looked like a bang average run-of-the-mill player and I'd pick Patterson over him all day long.

Mick O\\\'Malley 44 Posted 23/07/2026 at 09:42:28

Ffs fix the edit button, I meant to add that Norwegian fella Jens Petter Hauge done really well in the CL last season scoring reguarly and looked a really decent player, but we know Everton is the graveyard for strikers cos when they come here everything goes tit's up

Harry Diamond 45 Posted 23/07/2026 at 09:55:12

Michael (41).

Not seen much of Jens Petter Hauge and Everton links, but he was very good in the Champions League for Bodo last season after a pretty mixed time in Europe previously.

Openda I think is well worth a punt if it's a low-risk deal (loan). Was electric at Leipzig before struggling at Juve. They've just been obligated to pay about €40m for him though...

Dave Abrahams 46 Posted 23/07/2026 at 10:11:13

Michael (41) Michael that link is not working unless you pay for it— be a good mate and give us what it says about Grealish - -hope it’s bad news and we’re not getting him !

Paul Griffiths 47 Posted 23/07/2026 at 10:12:50

Mr. Kenrick, as you arbitrarily close down threads for, well, reasons that need further explanation. And, as you now, apparently ban words from TW under threats. And, as others tell me, the 'contact us' button nearly always fails. Can you suggest how those of us who dare to question your impartial decisions can contact you for a conversation.

By the way, I'll never be told that I am talking 'shite' - your usual aggressive tone - from someone who said that there was no evidence that BREXIT had negative impacts on the economy, not least when I was responding to a post that the majority of people would have found disgusting and distasteful.

So, question, do you have any accountability to your members Michael?

Steve Brown 48 Posted 23/07/2026 at 11:09:52

Paul @ 47, that noted leftie George Osbourne said recently that credible economists estimate that Brexit resulted in a 3-7% decline in UK GDP over the last decade.

That is equivalent to tens of billions of pounds in lost growth. But some are in a state of permanent denial.