There is (understandably) lots of frustration about at the state of our squad – still very small, still very limited.

But there are still 44 days to go of the summer transfer window and still a lot of players about, rumoured to be on our radar (in fact, almost none of our rumoured targets have gone elsewhere).  So here’s an optimistic take on what our squad might look like come the end of the window with the rumoured £100M left to spend.

There are a couple of different scenarios below – each of which remain realistic because I have only used players credibly linked to us in the rumour mills.

I have put versatile players in square brackets [ ] to indicate that they cover multiple positions – and parentheses ( ) to indicate those who might be loaned or sold. New players are shown in bold.

Anything of this nature and we will have the best squad available since the 2020-21 season – possibly as far back as the 2018-19 season.

Scenario 1: cost circa £85M or so

Strikers: Barry, Beto, (Chermiti)

LW: Ndiaye, McNeil

RW: Hutchinson or Kubo, [McNeil]

AM: Alcaraz, [McNeil]

C(D)M: Gallagher, Gueye, Garner, (Armstrong)

LB: Mykolenko, Kusogi, [McNeil], [Branthwaite]

RB: Coufal, Coleman, [Garner], [O’Brien], (Patterson), (Dixon)

CB: Branthwaite, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane

GK: Pickford, Travers

Scenario 2: cost circa £95M or so

Strikers: Barry, Beto, (Chermiti)

LW: Ndiaye, McNeil

RW: Doak, Fellows

AM: Alcaraz, McAtee, [McNeil]

C(D)M: Soucek, Gueye, Garner, (Armstrong)

LB: Mykolenko, Kusogi, [McNeil], [Branthwaite]

RB: Wesley, Coleman, [Garner], [O’Brien], (Patterson), (Dixon)

CB: Branthwaite, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane

GK: Pickford, Travers

And you’ll note that I’ve made very little use of free transfers and no use of the loan market – something which I expect we will do in practice.  If, when the dust settles, we have a worse squad than this, then I’ll be the first to complain. But anything of this nature should give us speculative hope for the season to come – and serious hope that good foundations have been built for the future.

Reader Comments (18)

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Kirk McArdle
1 Posted 21/07/2025 at 14:05:30
I would take scenario 2 there Robert, but strike a deal with Atletico to take Gallagher on a season loan and cover his wages and pay next summer. They cannot register him due to too many non-EU players on their books.
Robert Tressell
2 Posted 21/07/2025 at 14:55:46
I expect the loan is exactly what the club is trying to do - and Athletico are hoping for buyer. It could still happen though
Jay Harris
3 Posted 21/07/2025 at 15:26:42
Couple of comments Robert.

I cant see Moyes going for Kusogi, He tends to go for the experienced ones at the back. Having said that I think Coufal would be a backward step.

On the other flank you haven't mentioned Tafliacago. Any reason for that?

Also I see Hutchison and Kubo in the 85m squad but switching to Fellows and Doak who I believe are not yet to the standard of the former in the 95m squad.

Ian Bennett
4 Posted 21/07/2025 at 15:51:30
The best weve been linked with

Maghnes Akliouche
Franca
Luiz loan
Gallagher loan
Kubo

Tagliafico free

Steve Brown
5 Posted 21/07/2025 at 15:51:40
It is a tricky market at the moment.

A number of clubs have not made the early signings they wanted, including Everton, Villa, Newcastle, Fulham and Forest.

The exception of course is big transfer fees committed by the usual suspects - Chelsea, Man U, Arsenal and Spurs. The RS have done their usual big spend every 3-4 years.

I am not convinced that Wirtz, Cunha, Madueke, Ekitike, Elanga, Gittens, Kerkez and Kudus will all prove good value for their big money moves. Or at least I hope not!

Steve Brown
6 Posted 21/07/2025 at 15:56:11
Think we need a right back, left back, a No. 6, a No. 8 and a pacey right winger.
Ian Bennett
7 Posted 21/07/2025 at 16:01:43
Steve see 4. Just pass me the cheque book.
Robert Tressell
8 Posted 21/07/2025 at 16:02:14
I can’t really see the point signing Tagliofico, Jay. I know it gives us cover for free but up and coming full backs can be low cost. And I’d rather we didn’t buy someone who we wouldn’t otherwise be remotely interested in just because they are free.

I can see the club signing Kusogi or someone like him. It’s not all down to Moyes (in the same way Ancelotti had no part in Branthwaite and, I think, Dyche had no part in Chermiti). he would be a development player earmarked for post Moyes - although if he does okay Moyes can use him as an option. Bit like Oviedo possibly too.

Robert Tressell
9 Posted 21/07/2025 at 16:06:12
Steve # 6 I think that gives us just about 2 for each position? Ideally that’s how it plays out but it could take another summer window to complete the job - and in the meantime some versatile players cover a few positions. That’s not a bad outcome if the quality is good.
Kirk McArdle
10 Posted 21/07/2025 at 16:24:13
I am surprised that we haven't looked at Sergio Reguilon on a free. Not going to set the world on fire but good cover with PL experience.
Sam Hoare
11 Posted 21/07/2025 at 16:30:29
I think Wesley has all but signed for Roma sadly.

A lot of these names are the ones we’ve seen circulating the press but I’m hoping we might see some unexpected bargains like Alcaraz who we first hear of when it’s essentially done.

Think we all agree on the priority positions. Quite like the look of Ian’s list @4 though we won’t be getting Luiz And Gallagher.

My wishlist of unlinked players remains Bakwa, Guessand, Read, Bouaddi and Fatawu.

Alan J Thompson
12 Posted 21/07/2025 at 16:52:48
Sam(#11); Guess and Read, sounds like our next transfer targets to be listed here.
Nigel Scowen
13 Posted 21/07/2025 at 16:53:40
Thanks for this Robert, I also think there is plenty of time, no need for panic at this stage.

I notice that Tim Irogebunam is missing from your scenarios, any reason for this?

Robert Tressell
14 Posted 21/07/2025 at 16:55:00
With Ferguson on the way and El Aynoui done today Sam. Bit jealous.

My daft theory is that Rensch will join us on loan with his RB spot at Roma now going to Wesley. He would be good.

Sam Hoare
15 Posted 21/07/2025 at 17:04:50
Robert, yes, or zeki Celik. They’ll have 3 decent RBs now. The fee for Ferguson looks a little bigger than I’d expected and I like El Aynoui but think there are better out there. Will be interesting to see who has a better window!
Steve Brown
16 Posted 21/07/2025 at 17:08:28
Robert @ 9, I hope we can get at least 2-3 quality players in those positions this summer as the team needs it.

Ian @ 7, drive up to Finch Farm and have a word.

I am happy to have Barry, Alcaraz on board with the back up keeper, plus Jarrad’s contract extension.

The manager must know what he needs, and I thought he was decisive in his decisions on Doucoure, DCL, Lindstrom, Harrison, Broja and Young leaving. They were the right calls.

Think we need to be patient.

Robert Tressell
17 Posted 21/07/2025 at 17:26:39
Nigel # 13, a very good reason Iroegbunam is missing from my scenarios. I completely forgot!

Well spotted.

Joe McMahon
18 Posted 21/07/2025 at 17:27:41
A good article Robert, but it has to be considered which of these players would want to come to Everton. We have been victim to this a few times over the last few seasons as players choose to go elsewhere.

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