Season › 2024-25 › News Everton boss David Moyes expects deals to be done “next week” Anjishnu Roy 04/08/2025 64comments | Jump to last Everton’s tour of the United States for the Premier League Summer Series began with manager David Moyes stating that the team needed to sign “nine or 10 players before the start of the season.” Nine days since his comments to Men in Blazers host Roger Bennett at an event called A Night Live on Stage with David Moyes and Everton Football Club before the opener against Bournemouth in New Jersey, the Toffees have signed Adam Aznou to add to the three signings - Charly Alcaraz, Thierno Barry, Mark Travers - completed before their transatlantic trip. While he has kept the pressure on the club hierarchy, notably chief executive Angus Kinnear and head of player trading Nick Hammond, to get deals across the line, the Scottish manager’s tone has softened in the last few days. In his latest assessment, following a thrilling 2-2 draw with Manchester United in Atlanta to close out the Summer Series, Moyes expects deals to be completed this week, leading up to the friendly with AS Roma at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, although with a caveat. “I think there will be deals next week, I think there will be. I think we are getting much closer,” the Everton boss told the media after the clash with Man United. “I have got to say, I thought that four or five weeks ago, as well. But, obviously, we are getting near the tickly bits and have got to get some things done.” There have been wholesale changes to the Blues squad, with as many as a dozen players from last season being let go. Names like Abdoulaye Doucoure, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jack Harrison, and Ashley Young have played important roles in recent seasons and all of them have left without clear replacements. In Moyes' opinion, needing to get business done quickly was paramount to integrating the new players into the squad ahead of the Toffees’ Premier League curtain-raiser against Leeds United on August 19. “We know that we have to make several additions, even for the numbers. We might even have people in the squad who we’d like to put them out on loan or do other things with them, so we’re needing to generally add to the squad. We need to get some of the main players in quickly,” the 62-year-old continued. “I have been saying it from near enough when we finished against Newcastle United that we have to get it done. I generally feel we should be further down but, in the main, it looks as if we’re getting closer and hopefully a few things might come to fruition this week.” “If I didn’t (get the deals done), I’d have to be confident that I could make something out of what I’ve got and find a way around it for getting results. It’s not that easy in the Premier League, we’ve got a lot of things we have to do to get better.” So far, the club has spent around £50m on four signings this summer, with French striker Thierno Barry being the most expensive after a £27.6m deal was struck with his former club Villarreal. Everton recently saw a £27m offer rejected by Southampton for young winger Tyler Dibling and are considering making an improved offer. Reader Comments (64) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Paul Hewitt 1 Posted 04/08/2025 at 10:28:56 Close to Everton mean there still thinking about it. Craig Scott 2 Posted 04/08/2025 at 10:36:22 Moyes appeared less than upbeat in his latest interview. Despondent even. He also looked quite exasperated and frustrated with the players at times during the game as well. The pressure is on him to prepare them and get the tactics right, but the team on the pitch also have to take responsibility to execute. Unfortunately there isnt enough depth in the squad to have healthy competition for places which is showing through in the performances. Paul Hewitt 3 Posted 04/08/2025 at 10:37:17 I find it strange he's calling them out before the season has started. Mark Murphy 5 Posted 04/08/2025 at 11:09:51 “Four signings”? BarryTraversAznouAnd who??I only count three?? Paul Hewitt 6 Posted 04/08/2025 at 11:10:23 Alcatraz. Steve Brown 7 Posted 04/08/2025 at 11:11:59 Paul, that is probably how he feels after being here since January. Mark Murphy 8 Posted 04/08/2025 at 11:12:11 Ah yes, durr! Jake FitzGerald 9 Posted 04/08/2025 at 11:18:05 I can see Dibling arriving this week. He wants to come, Southampton already got his replacement waiting. Could do with his energy against Leeds. Beresford McWilliam 10 Posted 04/08/2025 at 11:18:18 #3 PaulIts blatantly clear why hes calling management out. Moyes has literally talked about the importance of early business every season hes been Everton manager. It only makes sense hes even more peeved this year as we need a tonne of players to bed in and seemingly have the funds for it. Im not saying the business is easy to do but hes reasons are very clear. Dennis Stevens 11 Posted 04/08/2025 at 11:24:58 Unfortunately, Everton are at or near the bottom of the chain, waiting for everybody else to complete their business so that we can see what's left for us to pick over. Ian Bennett 12 Posted 04/08/2025 at 11:37:37 Then they better start offering decent money Dennis. If you can get players from barca, psg and real to sign for saudi, bolton, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth, then you can get players to Everton.Football hasn't changed that much. Ryan Holroyd 14 Posted 04/08/2025 at 11:58:52 Everton submit official bid for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to join on permanent deal from Chelsea. Robert Tressell 15 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:09:14 They have obviously given up on Gallagher then Ryan. Different type of midfielder I know - but similar age / experience profile. Not quite top class but good and would probably be a popular player for us. Andrew Ellams 16 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:12:50 No issue with Dewsbury-Hall Ryan but don't we have higher priorities with a limited budget? Ryan Holroyd 17 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:17:01 I always liked him in the few games I watched him play for Chelsea. Good ageMoyes always wanted him at West Ham Good premier league experience Robert Tressell 18 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:18:53 Andrew based on the rumours I think the club has prioritised, in this order: right winger, central midfielder with decent Prem experience and a right back. Hopefully the kitty stretches to that - and weve got our loan spots too. It wouldnt be a huge surprise to get someone like Richarlison on deadline day. Alan J Thompson 19 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:19:18 It could be me but has Moyes been in America too long as from the above he's starting to sound like Trump. Neil Thomas 20 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:23:26 Official bid forDewsbury-Hall let the moaning begin. Personally great signing. As for comments about not a priority, I would say that we have a lot of positions that right now are a priority, especially a hardworking creative midfielder Ryan Holroyd 21 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:24:53 Everton are advancing in talks with Southampton for Tyler Dibling. Total deal worth in excess of £35million including add-ons, being discussed. The 19 year old has been given permission to speak to Everton Ryan Holroyd 22 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:26:18 Two quality players incoming hopefully Robert Tressell 23 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:28:21 If we can get those two signings, Ryan, even some of ToffeeWebs most determined pessimists may begin to cheer up. Squad depth still an issue but first XI much closer to the Silva season where we finished 8th. Fingers crossed Lee Courtliff 24 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:33:14 I'd be more that happy with Dibling, Dewsbury-Hall and even a Maitland-Niles to fill the RB spot. Jake FitzGerald 25 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:33:27 £35 mill bid in for Dibling - personal terms discussed. Dewsbury-Hall sounds like a good fit for all parties. Could definitely do with a bit of box-to-box.Juanlu next please Ryan Holroyd 26 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:35:13 Yes Robert Loans to come in for squad depth in the last week of the window ?Grealish for example Danny O'Neill 27 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:36:40 I don't buy into the Premier League experience thing. There are as many examples of players with no previous going on to be resounding successes as there are examples of those who didn't.It depends on a number of contributing circumstances. Walking into a good team or shit show. Cultural challenges or family issues.On Moyes, just like his pre-match comments, he's getting his message across, but in much more measured manner. Danny O'Neill 28 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:41:54 The Grealish debate is one that has interested me Ryan.On one hand, an undisputed talent that would improve the squad without doubt, if he can recapture his earlier form.On the other, does he fit. By that, I point to what many perceive as Moyes' historical deliberations over not just a player's ability, but their suitability to fit in with the team and squad.I could see it happening if the club decide it's within budget, but would it be the CEO overriding the manager to clinch a marquee signing?That's all guess work by the way. Ryan Holroyd 29 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:44:23 Moyes called Grealish the best number 10 a few years ago. I cannnot see Moyes having any player foisted on him.Grealish just had a kid so maybe hes settled down?!?! Danny O'Neill 30 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:50:12 I hope so Ryan. He showed so much potential, has practically won the lot, but just seems to have fallen out of favour.Like I say, Moyes probably doesn't doubt his ability, but I wonder if he would consider him a good fit? Robert Tressell 31 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:50:21 I know what you mean Danny - but it looks like Moyes values Prem experience for this particular position. Maybe British also. He might have a good point too. Next summer, we can probs buy more talented development players to improve the squad longer term. Sam Hoare 32 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:52:09 I like Dibling but not totally sold on KDH. I havent watched loads to him but seems like at 26 hes been a bit mid of the road apart from one outstanding season for Leicester in the Championship 2 years back. If the price for him is near £30m as reported I think there are better options. Ryan Holroyd 33 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:55:32 From the telegraph Moyes wants up to six more signings, including a No 6 and a No 8 midfielder and two wide players but, even for a man who has seen most things during a 27-year career in management, this summer has tested his patience like few others. Indeed, the number of players Everton have missed out on is heading towards double figures. It is not just Newcastle manager Eddie Howe who is encountering repeat frustration.Everton had a medical lined up for Kenny Tete only for the Netherlands defender to decide to stay with Fulham. The exciting young Portugal winger Francisco Conceicao opted to join Juventus permanently after a loan from Porto rather than move to Merseyside and another wide target, Lyons Malick Fofana, has his sights set on a switch to a Champions League club. There have been other disappointments, too. The Colombia midfielder Richard Rios chose Benfica and the Belgium winger Johan Bakayoko swapped PSV Eindhoven for RB Leipzig in Germany. Real Sociedad were asking for too much for the Japan winger Takefusa Kubo and then there is Joao Palhinha, whom Moyes would have loved to bring in only for the Portugal midfielder to join Tottenham on loan from Bayern. Tomas Soucek was a favourite of Moyes at West Ham and he wants to add a midfielder of similar profile to the CzechThere may be some light at the end of the tunnel before this week is out, though. Everton had a £27m bid for Dibling knocked back by Southampton last week but there is hope of soon reaching an agreement for the 19-year-old England Under-21 midfielder, who was one of the few success stories at St Marys last season. There is also dialogue with Chelsea over Dewsbury-Hall with a bid expected. The Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, formerly of Aston Villa and Manchester City, has Premier League experience and is surplus to requirements in Turin. Leicesters James Justin and Ben Doak, the teenage Liverpool winger, are other potential options. And then there is Jack Grealish.While it is clear Moyes has other players he wants in first, it is also easy to see why a loan deal for the Manchester City and England attacking midfielder could hold such appeal to Evertons American ownership. He is the kind of name and maverick talent fans could really get behind and, with the World Cup finals at the end of the season, Grealish has added motivation to get back playing regularly after being omitted from Citys Club World Cup squad in June. Everton also have the benefit of being North West based although with Grealish earning around £300,000 a week at City, any deal would be costly and there is likely to be stiff competition for the 29-year-old. Napoli and West Ham are among the other clubs who have been linked with the player.Moyes has a long-standing reputation for developing young domestic and overseas talent. But he wants Everton to be looking towards the top half of the table, not getting sucked towards another relegation battle and, as such, he has been keen to find the right blend between potential and Premier League experience. He needs players, yes, but he will not sign them for the sake of it. The value of experience has certainly been clear to see on Evertons tour of the US, with the team instantly looking more assured at the back once centre-back James Tarkowski returned from a three month injury lay-off.Evertons data analytics operations are being led by Chris Howarth, who sold his company Insight Sport to the Friedkin Group. Moyes is heavily involved in the recruitment process and, for a manager who has always had an eye and a nose for a player, there is a fine balance between trusting the data and his own instincts. Everton, though, need a breakthrough. The clock is ticking and Moyes knows it. Rob Halligan 34 Posted 04/08/2025 at 12:58:16 SSN saying second bid for Dibling has been rejected by Southampton. Bobby Mallon 35 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:00:30 Rob 34 if that's true I would walk away and go get a plan B Paul Hewitt 36 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:04:58 They want 45 million.😆 Paul Hewitt 37 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:05:43 Bobby. Dibling was plan B. Bobby Mallon 38 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:09:48 I don't know why we are not goi g for Tom fellows, he is vlass and beto would thrive with his crossing or Borja Sainz from Norwich hes another young class spaniard Grant Rorrison 39 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:11:17 Bobby 38. Sainz went to Porto last month for 14 million didn't he? Paul Smith 40 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:11:17 Fuck spending 45 million if that's true.. Bill Hawker 41 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:11:20 Alan #19Thats a good thing as the world is tired of two bit talking, waffling politicians who do nothing for society. Bobby Mallon 42 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:12:04 Grant don't know to honest Nick Page 43 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:13:15 FC Shambles. Fucking Starmer could negotiate better deals than this lot. Ryan Holroyd 44 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:18:44 Because Dibling is far superior to Fellows Bobby Mallon 45 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:19:09 Nick page come on its only the top 6 teams that have done business and man utd. All other teams beside Sunderland are being picky Andrew Ellams 46 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:21:19 Is Fellows is so good why is he still at WBA? Mark Frere 47 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:22:25 I think we need to be realistic in the sense that we cannot complete with other clubs that can offer European football. From players looking in, from the outside, they will see a club like ours who have been fighting constant relegation battles these past few years.I'm a massive advocate of only buying young players as we move forwards. We should learn lessons from the Moshiri era. Unfortunately, the vast majority of signings under his tenure never worked out but it was the players over the age of 25, that were on high wages, that really damaged this club financially... The likes of Schniederlin, Sigurdsson, Bolasie, Andre Gomes, Delph, and Allen etc. where as the younger players such as Lookman, Moise Kean, Vlasic, and Iwobi etc, we were able to make a profit or at least recoup most of the money spent.There's realistic young players out there that we should be targeting. We have a decent core of experienced players down the spine of our team that we can integrate youth alongside and build a team for the future sensibly with.Something like this would be my ideal transfer window in the time we have left:DiblingDoakMcAteeHackney Juanlu SánchezMangala (loan) Andrew Clare 48 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:27:48 Its a mistake to buy players from the EPL. They are way over market value.The clock is ticking and I hope we dont just wind up with ‘make do players in a last minute scramble to get more bodies at the club.I feel that we are going to pay way over the top for the Chelsea, Southampton and West Ham guys that we are being linked with. Andrew Keatley 49 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:30:08 Fellows has one - very effective but overused - trick; left leg step over then go down the outside and cross early. I like him but Id expect Premier League left-backs to be able to snuff that out. Dibling is the superior option, and will be a goal-scoring winger.I really like KDH. Massive posterior which enables him to protect the ball well, and hes very comfortable in possession with a great left foot. I think he would do well for us.So Dibling and KDH would, in my opinion, really improve us and give us different options to what we have. Grealish would be a huge signing, and one that might transform us - especially if he is given the freedom to play centrally. Jake FitzGerald 50 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:31:14 Andrew -shouldnt that be “jolly” rather than “so”?Either way, Id have Fellows in the squad for £10 million. A bit one-dimensional but hed run a lot of PL LBs ragged. Robert Tressell 51 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:35:03 Fellows would cost about £18M, I would have thought. As things stand, he would struggle to start for Leeds, Burnley or Sunderland ahead of Gnonto, Tchaouna and Talbi. He would be good squad player but it's understandable that we haven't moved for him yet. Paul Hewitt 52 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:37:13 Just seen Ndidi has a £9 million release clause, he's talking with Galatasary. He'd be a good signing and cheap. Danny O'Neill 53 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:43:48 I enjoy reading the posts with everyone's wish lists and recommendations. It provides insight. The key matter though, is whether any of those names are on Moyes's and the club's target list, as it doesn't matter what we think.It depends what's being read and believed. Some sources saying a second bid for Dibling of £35M has been submitted and Southampton has given the player permission to talk to Everton. Let's see what happens.That would be around £80M on 5 players. Plus, I would imagine that the contract offered to Branthwaite would have been factored into the budget too, although that will be covered over the 4 years and if we had to sell (I sincerely hope not), he will easily fetch £100M.So far, not bad investment. Paul Hewitt 54 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:46:25 Southampton are happy to do a deal but want a bigger guaranteed sum. Robert Tressell 55 Posted 04/08/2025 at 13:58:35 Indeed Danny - wed all go about this a bit differently I expect but the approach so far isnt daft. Secure Branthwaite.Secure AlcarazPace and promise / competition up front Cover at GK and LBTry to secure a high quality RWTry to secure a good quality CM with Prem experience … and then fill in the remaining gaps depending on what budget / loan spots are left.And despite the conspiracy theories etc this is such a straightforward approach it seems unlikely Moyes and the recruitment team are too far apart (although Moyes understandably probably wishes they could just chuck an extra £5m to £10m around to seal the primary targets - but will also understand why they do not - or at least just yet). Frank Thomas 56 Posted 04/08/2025 at 14:05:16 "Dibling is superior" to who ? Armstrong who is free or to Kubo or Fofana who are both proven.I remember watching Tom Davies score a brilliant goal against Man City thinking he is superior to most premiership players.A quick internet search suggests he has recently signed for Newport County.£45M is a huge gamble. Danny O'Neill 57 Posted 04/08/2025 at 14:18:19 Frank @56, apart from the odd freaks and some of those who came through under Sir Alex at United, it's impossible to tell at that age.If it happens, like Aznou, Barry, Armstrong and even Alcaraz (still only 22), despite my ever-optimism, I would avoid putting exception on his young shoulders too soon.He's just endured a torrid season at almost the worse performing team in Premier League history, which I'm sure he wouldn't have enjoyed.But, like the others mentioned, he provides an option, has room for development and may thrive in a different environment. Ryan Holroyd 58 Posted 04/08/2025 at 14:23:36 Superior to Tom Fellows as said ‘Because Dibling is far superior to Fellows mike corcoran 59 Posted 04/08/2025 at 14:26:37 Buonanotte now back at Brighton couod be decent as a right sided forward? Surprised he's not been mentioned. Martin Berry 60 Posted 04/08/2025 at 14:28:25 So it could be Dews and Dibbs through the door. I would be happy with that but is the latter purely a right winger or would we still want someone else in that position ?A right back will be coming in I am sure, then maybe a few savvy loans deal which the boss is good at.At least the Manager is sounding more positive, and for him to say he expects incomings is a big plus from him normally being over cautious.We will see. Ian Jones 61 Posted 04/08/2025 at 14:34:38 Frank, think you'll find the Tom Davies at Newport is a different one. Grant Rorrison 62 Posted 04/08/2025 at 14:44:04 What do people base the view that Dibling is that good upon? Southampton fans aren't even interested that he could/will be leaving them. Bobby Mallon 63 Posted 04/08/2025 at 15:13:11 Nick Page, Come on, it's only the Top 6 teams that have done business and Man Utd. All other teams besides Sunderland are being picky Andy Meighan 65 Posted 04/08/2025 at 15:25:16 Get Dibling in or regret it, simple as that. Tom Smith 66 Posted 04/08/2025 at 16:00:46 Ive watched both Dibling and Fellows a little bit this season, loads of time on my hands now Im retired, Dibling is far and away a better player than Fellows 19 years old, Ill be gutted if we dont get him in Frank Thomas 67 Posted 04/08/2025 at 18:02:15 Ian, thanks, I apologise — he is still at Sheffield United. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. How to get rid of these ads and support TW © ToffeeWeb