Harry Diamond 03/09/2026 39comments  |  Jump to last

(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The fall-out from Everton’s shambolic deadline day dash for deals will roll on into the coming days. The fiasco that was the final few hours of the transfer window saw a promising deal for Folarin Balogun collapse, after Iliman Ndiaye and Beto were both sold on. 

Late Hail Marys in the direction of Joshua Zirkzee, Tammy Abraham, and Kenny Tete failed to materialise into additions, leaving Everton severely short in several areas. The transfer window has closed with Everton having one senior centre-forward, one recognised right-back who is yet to debut, and one left-back. 

The Toffees must now ride it out until January, or dip into the free agent market. It might not be glamorous, but here are some available free agents who could add badly needed depth. 

Krepin Diatta

An option discussed earlier in the summer after delving through the data. Per 90 minutes, the out-of-contract former Monaco wideman was among Ligue 1’s leading performers last season for duels won percentage (1st), aerial duels won (2nd), accurate crosses (3rd), and key passes (6th). 

The small sample size due to a lack of minutes (he played 1011 league minutes last season) is a caveat, but the numbers are promising. A winger-turned-full-back, Diatta can operate in various positions and, at 27, is of a good age.

Emil Krafth

The Swedish defender remains without a club since leaving Newcastle in the summer. At 32, he boasts 84 appearances in the Premier League and 52 international caps.

Dani Carvajal

Could Everton tempt the serial winner to take on the challenge of the Premier League? The 34-year-old is a free agent after concluding a trophy-laden spell at Real Madrid that delivered 451 games played, four La Liga titles and six Champions League trophies. File this was down as unlikely.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Adam Aznou’s loan exit for Malaga leaves Vitaliy Mykolenko short of competition and cover. Still just 29, Zinchenko has been on a downward spiral since leaving Arsenal and made two appearances for Ajax after signing a short-term deal in January. A knee injury curtailed his campaign before exiting in the summer.

Raphael Guerrerio

A more exciting, if slightly older, option than Zinchenko. Raphael Guerrerio is on the hunt for a new club after leaving Bayern Munich, where he scored five times and added two assists in 18 league appearances last season. The 32-year-old can play almost anywhere, versatility that would be welcomed in a threadbare squad.

Joselu

A member of the incredibly unique group of footballers to have struggled at Stoke but scored goals for Real Madrid, alongside Michael Owen and Jese Rodriguez. Joselu is on the lookout for his next challenge after scoring 27 goals in 57 games for Al-Gharaf in Qatar’s Stars League. 

That move followed a remarkable 2023-24 season on loan at Real Madrid, where he scored 18 goals and was a crucial part of the Spanish side’s Champions League success. Eintracht Frankfurt, Lazio and Union Berlin are all sniffing around the 36-year-old.

Jamie Vardy

Jamie Vardy appears more focused on becoming a media mogul than finding a new club right now, with a successful Netflix show, podcast, and the attainment of Bundesliga broadcast rights for his YouTube channel, “Jamie Vardy’s Having a Party”.

Vardy will turn 40 in February, but showed last season he can still find the net. The veteran scored seven Serie A goals in a relegated Cremonese side.

 

 

Reader Comments (39)

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Lester Yip
1 Posted 03/09/2026 at 09:12:25
Jordan Ayew is also free agent.

He still played in the World Cup.
Ian Burns
2 Posted 03/09/2026 at 09:27:02
It is reported on the BBC Sport website that Everton will not be dipping into the free agent market despite their poor transfer window.
Andrew Merrick
3 Posted 03/09/2026 at 09:38:21
Maybe they have a cunning loan plan onbtge back burner, nah..
Andrew Ellams
4 Posted 03/09/2026 at 09:56:48
The loan market is closed Andrew
Steve Cotton
5 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:15:14
After the complete disaster of Transfer deadline day, it is clear that the only solution is to sign a couple of free agents.
If they have no intention of doing that then we must assume that this was an asset stripping exercise ahead of the Friedkins selling the club.

Hopefully I am wrong but if it is true we are still not interested in bringing in support for the 3 positions CF, LB & RB then we will be up s**t creek by Xmas

I bet Kinnear still got a good bonus for how this window went down, he has made us a laughing stock!!! shame on him
Andrew Ellams
6 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:16:51
You can only sign what's available Steve and I don't see much to get excited about. Seems like we might as well wait until January and bring in somebody on loan.
Brian Harrison
7 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:19:53
The reason they are free agents is because nobody wants to pay them to play, the likes of Martial or Vardy are finished so why would you even consider signing any of them.
Jon Ashton
8 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:23:04
I like the idea of Joselu as a big but slow Number 9, as long as he's not expecting to be first choice. I'm not sure he'd be first choice because he'd slow the whole thing down, but he'd give us options.

Barry first choice, Johnson with George on the Right Wing (or maybe vice versa) when it's all about speed, Joselu for games where the attack is more about holding the ball up, knock downs, etc.

Moyes clearly likes to take Barry off after 60+ minutes - it would give him more options to do that!
Dave Abrahams
9 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:23:36
Hopefully they can use the injured player we bought off Arsenal to woo the free agents — he is supposed to be a great asset around the club on and off the field and he’s done fuck all on the field up to now— let him earn his wages off the field for now.
Edward Rogers
10 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:49:40
Lester @1
Don't even joke about it!
James Marshall
11 Posted 03/09/2026 at 10:54:17
Latest news states that Everton are not interested in signing any free agents.

What a surprise.
Sean Mitchell
12 Posted 03/09/2026 at 11:53:10
The tight bastards wouldn’t want to have to pay another wage for a free player.

We’re fucked when the usual injury crisis happens.
Jack Convery
13 Posted 03/09/2026 at 12:05:07
The guy I would seriously look at is Ricardo Rodríguez, a current Swiss Int, who plays at LB and can cover CB too. Played for Real Betis last season, 35 games, 28 at LB, He also played for Switzerland in the World Cup. Playing against the Argies he got an assist. In the last 2 seasons he had no injuries. Left footed, and Added cover for LB and CB, For me it's a no brainer.
Steve Cotton
14 Posted 03/09/2026 at 12:05:14
any free players signed after the window shuts have to be registered within 7 days (I believe) so if they don't sign someone and register them by next Tuesday then they have no intention of boosting the squad.

Assuming they leave things as they stand then we will have to play Johnson as the back up striker, therefore Tyler Dibbling will have to play the full game every game..

So Andrew Ellams are you ok with that scenario?
Steve Cotton
15 Posted 03/09/2026 at 12:12:22
Good shout Jack, Tavernier who is a right back and did play for Rangers is free and like his brother is a free kick specialist,

If a guy is free it may just be that his previous club didnt want to offer his a new 3 year contract, maybe his wages were too high, maybe he was showing signs of age.. surely these players can sign for us on a short term contract on lowish wages with a healthy bonus element built in.

Perhaps someone just wants to see if Moyes can perform miracles with his hands tied behind his back..

perhaps one of the keepers can step up to the mark and stop hiding on his goal line..
Jack Convery
16 Posted 03/09/2026 at 12:20:08
Steve, Tavernier could well be worth looking,

AS for a CF Icardi looks the best on offer but Lazio are all over him at present. If we are really not looking at a couple of free agents I give up. 18 players is not enough, we need 21 at least, 2 FBs and a CF. Not Martial though !
Raymond Fox
17 Posted 03/09/2026 at 12:26:25
Their not not looking for any free transfers apparently, that's on the BBC site.
Their just taking the piss, that's just a fuck you because us fans have made an unsurprising fuss, it's we are in charge, what you think doesn't matter. Moyes must be pulling his hair out, it gives him a ready made excuse if the season is a total dud though.

I see you have posted the same thing James, I didn't look before posting.
Rocco Bugaj
18 Posted 03/09/2026 at 12:38:31
Raymond, that cannot be said often enough.
John Keating
19 Posted 03/09/2026 at 12:56:48
Tavernier left Rangers because he was finished.

He was excellent for them, scoring some crackers. Club captain and at his peak could easily have played in the PL but preferred being a big fish in a little pond.

These days we'd be best sticking Rohl or JOB out there rather than waste a few quid on Tavernier
Christy Ring
20 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:02:25
John#19 Tavernier is gone to Saudi, hats off to the Palace, who signed Ben Chilwell, still a good left back, wouldn't it be great to have a good recruitment team?
Ian Wilkins
21 Posted 03/09/2026 at 13:23:39
Jack@13, email the recruitment team, let them know, they won’t have heard of him.
Paul Kossoff
22 Posted 03/09/2026 at 15:44:41
Harry, according to the telegraph, Everton are not planning to dip into the free-agent market despite a difficult end to the transfer window. Richarlson has gone to Turkey, why? because the lure of returning to his beloved Everton was side tracked by the old moolah, the old green back, in other words, pure greed. Trabzonspor paying him triple his wages to play along side this other red money grabber Mo,reen.
Apparently we have been offered Anthony Martial and Benzema. At least we could look forward to him flattening St Virgil.
Andy Meighan
23 Posted 03/09/2026 at 16:12:47
Sums this TFG up, they or the lead development team (laughs) fucked the window up, so they owe it to the fans to at least get a couple of bodies in.

But knowing these hungry bastards, they're probably terrified of paying a couple of wages to players.

I'd like to see Benzema brought in, imagine his experience in the dressing room. And Zinchenko as cover for Mykolenko, surely he hasn't fallen that far off the radar? Wishful thinking on my behalf though.
Rocco Bugaj
24 Posted 03/09/2026 at 16:38:39
Trabzonspor has signed not only Richarlison but also Franculino. We were interested in him as well.
Ian Bennett
25 Posted 03/09/2026 at 17:11:59
Complete gamble. Could be great, but more likely one injury away from costing a fortune & delivering nothing.

I've no sympathy at all. My patience snapped long ago.
Pete Ambrose
26 Posted 03/09/2026 at 18:01:30
If Everton go for players that are out of contract, then maybe Malacia, Zivchenko and Sancho are worth a look.

Malacia specifically had a bad spell in the Premier League but remember Ndiaye struggled and was sold away from the Premier League. Everton took a punt on him and he has become one of the most sought after players in the Premier League. (Everton's transfer policy makers let him go far too cheaply!)

I would certainly give Malacia a try, only 27 and a lot to prove. Moyes has a way of getting the best out of players.

Zivchenko with his experience can play in various positions so another worth a punt. Then there is Sancho who always flattered to deceive but never really achieved, another that might respond better to Moyes's style.

Everton need a couple of players at least and, even if they get signed on short term with the chance of longer if they perform well, it's got to be better than turning up at games without experienced players due to injury or suspensions which does happen with every team.
Mark Steers
27 Posted 03/09/2026 at 18:26:21
I don't think anyone can complain about Johnson, George, Rohl, Hackney, or Grealish. Sadly, Norgaard picked up an injury but let's hope he is back soon.

Maitland-Niles can play both full-back positions so that is lots better than the two right-backs we've had for the last 4 seasons -- they were useless.

Sadly, we never got the yank but, to be fair, I didn't want him -- his goals in France were on the low side... and stats don't lie.

Finally, karma got all you moaners, the slagging you have given Barry and Beto -- now you have to rely on Barry! But I don't think he will let us down.

We need some positivity now it's all over till January... then you can start to torture yourselves again.
Tom Bowers
28 Posted 03/09/2026 at 22:01:04
So it looks like another dud season ahead thanks to the imbeciles in the boardroom. We have a lot of talent but idiots running the club just don't know what it takes to be successful.

Okay, they don't have the trillions that Man City, Liverpool, Man Utd and Arsenal have but surely to God they should have a plan to improve things instead of dithering the way they have over the last 12 months.

Hard to have any confidence in winning a lot of games this season, even when the new transfer window opens.
Ian Burns
29 Posted 03/09/2026 at 22:23:11
I don’t know if this is right place to post this but apparently we are looking at free agents Vardy and Martial (BBC).
Iain Johnston
30 Posted 03/09/2026 at 23:09:56
Harry, to be honest mate I think we should file them all down as unlikely.

If the hierarchy at the club don't have the imagination to short list potential transfers and understand it's not 'draft day' there's zero chance of them looking at the free agent market.
Paul Kossoff
31 Posted 03/09/2026 at 23:43:22
Everton are considering a move for Jamie Vardy, 39, after failing to sign a striker on transfer deadline day, with the ex-England forward available after leaving Cremonese. (The Sun, external)

David Moyes' side could also approach former France striker Anthony Martial, 30, who is also a free agent after departing Mexican side Monterrey.
Mark Taylor
32 Posted 03/09/2026 at 00:19:06
Why not pick up some scats from Cremonese. It's about our level.
Phil Lewis
33 Posted 03/09/2026 at 01:09:02
It was inevitable that Ndaiye would leave. City was an easier pill to swallow than Spurs, but the fee was £20M short. Still, Grealish will hopefully deliver on the left wing, or if necessary switched inside.Dibling performed well in pre-season matches and is worth a run of games on the right flank. Regardless of his hat-trick which was on a plate for him, Barry's finishing is appalling. Personally, I'd have him on the bench to start with and experiment with George or Johnson as a central striker. Alternatively Alcaraz could easily be used to great effect as a 'false9'. He's looked comfortable on the odd occasions he's been called on to do so in the past. If desperate for a traditional CF, Moyse could always play Keane in that role. And of course we have young Brandon Graham.eagerly awaiting an opportunity to show his worth. Then there still is Barry...
The permutations are many, the picture not necessarily as bleak as has been painted. We should enlist from the squad, without the need to sign some geriatric has been, out of desperation. That is money down the drain and asking for potential further disruption. Promote from within I say!
Bob Parrington
34 Posted 04/09/2026 at 02:41:39
Some commenting on Braiden Graham have mention his lack of height as an issue.

I recall watching Alex Young, Tony Cottee, Alan Ball, Tim Cahill back in the day and then, looking across the park, the likes of Michael Owen, Roger Hunt, Robbie Fowler. None of these were giants.

Isn't "knowing were the net is" the key to scoring.

Hopefully, Braiden will be given his chances.
Joe McMahon
35 Posted 04/09/2026 at 03:13:20
Or Gianfranco Zola and jermain Defo Bob.
Alan J Thompson
36 Posted 04/09/2026 at 05:05:37
I don't know which would be worse, going with Barry and maybe using Alcaraz, George and/or Johnson as alternatives and maybe an occasional appearance by Graham or our crack transfer committee possibly further embarrassing themselves by bringing in an aged free agent who has either not had a contract extended or walked out of their last club for whatever reasons.

Or play Keane and Tarkowski as a joint strike force, the upside being Branthwaite and O'Brien would be the central defenders.
Eric Morecambe was never this laughable at Luton.
Matt Smith
37 Posted 04/09/2026 at 06:17:51
Bob #34 I totally agree and was thinking the same. Geez I hope the kid is given a chance now - if his touch is as good as everyone says it is could be win-win. We find new talent at low extra cost.
Ray Thomas
38 Posted 04/09/2026 at 08:09:37
This is a sad state of affairs. We cannot get any players in and if anyone gets injured especially upfront or right back we going to have an uphill battle. But lets look at the bright side we still unbeaten this season and we can go all the way. We need a lot of luck but lets not stumble. Keep the support up and let the players know we with them all the way. We can always put Keano upfront in emergency.
Dale Rose
39 Posted 04/09/2026 at 14:35:38
Martial is name that keeps coming up...

Worth a punt.

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