Season › 2024-25 › News The Rumour Mill Rumour Mill — Week of 17 August 2025 Michael Kenrick | 20/08/2025 55comments | Jump to last The first game of the new season at Leeds Utd on Monday proved a massive anti-climax with David Moyes only starting one of his new signings. The arrival of Jack Grealish strongly boosts the list of new players who have signed for Everton: Tom King, goalkeeper from Wolverhampton Wanderers (2-year deal) Jack Grealish, attacking midfielder from Man City (1-year loan) Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, midfielder from Chelsea (5-year deal) Adam Aznou, left-back from Bayern Munich (4-year deal) Mark Travers, goalkeeper from Bournemouth (4-year deal) Thierno Barry, striker from Villarreal (4-year deal) Carlos Alcaraz, midfielder from Flamengo (2-year deal) Confirmation that, in addition to Charly Alcaraz, Everton have re-signed four senior players whose contracts expired last season: Idrissa Gana Gueye has signed a 1-year contract (2-year option) Michael Keane has signed a new 1-year contract Jarrard Branthwaite has signed a new 5-year contract Seamus Coleman has accepted a new 1-year playing contract While in the transfer market, Everton have been linked with: Article continues below video content Hector Fort, right-back at Barcelona Etta Eyong, striker at Villarreal Nathan Ake, centre-back at Manchester City Christantus Uche, striker at Getafe Yves Bissouma, midfielder at Tottenham Hotspur Jakub Kiwior, defender at Arsenal Nahuel Molina, right-back at Atletico Madrid Artem Dovbyk, striker at AS Roma Dion Lopy, holding midfielder at Almeria Kellen Fisher, right-back at Norwich City Zuriko Davitashvili, winger at Saint-Etienne Abdul Fatawu, winger at Leicester City Ainsley Maitland-Niles, right-back at Lyon Juanlu Sanchez, right-back at Sevilla Gabriel Sara, midfielder at Galatasaray Franculino Djú, striker at Midtjylland James Justin, right-back at Leicester City Florentino Luis, midfielder at Benfica Assane Diao, winger at Como Malick Fofana, winger at Lyon Tyler Dibling, winger at Southampton Carney Chukwuemeka, midfielder at Chelsea Lyanco, defender at Atletico Mineiro Maghnes Akliouche, right-winger at AS Monaco Florentino Luis, midfielder at Benfica Samuel Lino, forward at Atletico Madrid Jacob Ramsey, midfielder at Aston Villa Bilal El Khannouss, playmaker at Leicester City Sergio Reguilon, left-back formerly at Tottenham Hotspur Francisco Conceicao, winger at Porto Neil El Aynaoui, midfielder at RC Lens Salvatore Esposito, midfielder at Spezia. John Victor, goalkeeper at Botafogo Georgios Vagiannidis, right-back at Panathinaikos Tomas Souček, midfielder at West Ham Utd Joao Palhinha, midfielder at Bayern Munich Hayden Hackney, midfielder at Middlesbrough John McGinn, midfielder at Aston Villa Takefusa Kubo, winger at Real Sociedad Jack Harrison, winger at Leeds Utd Conor Gallagher, midfielder at Atletico Madrid Nicolás Tagliafico, left-back formerly at Lyon Jaydee Canvot, centre-back at Toulouse Gustavo Hamer, midfielder at Sheffield United Morten Frendrup, midfielder at Genoa Raphael Onyedika, midfielder at Club Brugge Mihailo Ivanovic, striker at Millwall Tom Fellows, winger at West Bromwich Albion Fred, midfielder at Fenerbahçe Aleksandar Mitrovic, striker at Al Hilal Hamza Igamane, striker at Glasgow Rangers James McAtee, midfielder at Manchester City These players who were heavily linked with a move to Everton have gone elsewhere: Douglas Luiz has agreed to sign for Nottingham Forest Omari Hutchinson has been signed by Nottingham Forest Ben Doak has been transferred to Bournemouth Timothy Weah is now playing for Marseille Wilfred Ndidi has joined Besiktas Evan Ferguson, joined AS Roma on loan Wesley Franca, has gone to AS Roma Richard Rios, has joined Benfica Johan Bakayoko, has joined RB Leipzig Kyle Walker-Peters, has joined West Ham Utd Walter Benitez, joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer Jarrel Quansah left Liverpool for Bayer Leverkusen Habib Diarra joined Sunderland from Strasbourg Kenny Tete, accepted a new contract at Fulham Kyle Walker, heading to Burnley from Manchester City Liam Delap, chose Chelsea over Everton and others Everton Under-21s have agreed new 2-year contract extensions with: Fraser Barnsley, goalkeeper Issac Heath, attacking midfielder Jack Patterson, midfielder Coby Ebere, winger Eli Campbell, defender Everton Under-18s have agreed 2-year professional contracts with: George Finney Josh van Schoor Harvey Foster Aled Thomas Cieran Loney Luca Davis And these Everton players may be moving elsewhere: Tim Iroegbanum may leave (on loan?) to Sheffield Utd Harrison Armstrong could go on loan to Sunderland or Burnley Beto is claimed to be the subject of a bid from Fenerbahçe Beto has also been linked with Leeds Utd and Atalanta Youssef Chermiti may go on loan to Sheffield Utd or Stoke City Harry Tryer, young keeper is now likely to return to Blackpool Everton players going out on loan for the 2025-26 season: Francis Okoronkwo has joined Lincoln City in League One Martin Sherif has joined Rotherham United. in League One While these permanent departures from the club have now been confirmed: Dominic Calvert-Lewin rejected a new deal, has joined Leeds Utd Jack Harrison returns to Leeds Utd as his loan ends this month Jesper Lindstrom returns to Napoli as his loan ends this month Orel Mangala returned to Olympique Lyonnais when injury ended his loan Armando Broja returns to Chelsea as his loan ends this month Žan-Luk Leban, contract expiring after 6 years in the Academy Abdoulaye Doucoure, whose 1-year contract extension was rejected Ashley Young, who will celebrate his 40th birthday in July Asmir Begovic, may join Southampton after his contract ends João Virginia, his contract expires at the end of June Mason Holgate, released, is now joining Al Gharafa in Doha Neal Maupay will join Marseille for £10M when his loan ends And these former Everton players are moving to newer climes: Callum Wright joins Wigan Athletic from Plymouth Argyle Salomón Rondón has joined Real Oviedo from Pachuca Jonjoe Kenny has moved from Hertha Berlin to PAOK Adam Forshaw has joined Blackburn Rovers from Plymouth Argyle Gethin Jones is leaving Bolton Wanderers to join Milton Keynes Dons Seb Quirk, who left Everton Academy 18 months ago, will join Sligo Rovers from Accrington Stanley Reader Comments (55) 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 () Andrew Ellams 1 Posted 20/08/2025 at 14:26:44 There are rumours that we've asked Man Utd about Rasmus Hojlund's availability.It's a no for Bissouma. Too much baggage. Wasn't there an issue with him groping women in a nightclub a couple of years ago? Christy Ring 2 Posted 20/08/2025 at 14:52:15 I see where Spurs are offering Solomon to Roma, didn't he star for Leeds last season, right footed plays both wings? Leeds will probably try and sign him, but a cheaper alternative worth a bid? Steve Brown 3 Posted 20/08/2025 at 15:34:15 12 days left.In addition to a right winger, Everton are apparently also looking to sign a striker, right-back and a defensive-midfielder – all most likely on loan given the costs involved in signing a winger.That would be the winger that we targeted for weeks as our main transfer signing, then decided we couldn't afford. The failures of the summer recruitment approach will probably buy Moyes some time with supporters. Jay Harris 4 Posted 20/08/2025 at 16:00:31 It's very simple for me.Just decide on Who we want and go and get them. A few million over the odds is no big deal if they are the right players.Kellen Fisher - Right backJamie Vardy - proven goal scorer for 30 minutes a gameFatawu - right wing. (Dibling/ Fofana)We don't need a recruitment committee just a man with a checkbook!!!!I get the feeling we have been hanging on for Fofana hoping that a Champions League club don't come in for him and so he will grace Everton with his presence. If so that is very high risk. Jake FitzGerald 5 Posted 20/08/2025 at 16:09:15 Pretty sure Tchatchoua was on Thelwells’ list. James Marshall 6 Posted 20/08/2025 at 16:49:20 It seems things are still happening despite the frustration on hereEverton still in the market for new playersLatest from Sky Sports News' Lyall Thomas:Everton still want to sign new players before the deadline – especially a winger – following Monday night's 1-0 defeat at Leeds.The club remain interested in Southampton's Tyler Dibling, Lyon's Malick Fofana and Leicester's Abdul Fatawu.Everton have had a number of bids rejected for Dibling and have so far been put off by Saints' valuation in excess of £45m.But one source has indicated to Sky Sports News that another approach is anticipated.Everton are also looking to sign a striker, right-back and a defensive-midfielder – all most likely on loan given the costs involved in signing a winger.Lyon's Ainsley Maitland-Niles is still among their options and they have long-term interest in Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney. Pat Kelly 7 Posted 20/08/2025 at 17:12:33 The transfer situation is now so dire, we're not even linked with more keepers. Andrew Clare 8 Posted 20/08/2025 at 17:22:41 Considering that we are supposed to be the club doing the massive team rebuild this window, not much is occurring.Meanwhile, our rivals are signing players right left and centre.Time is not on our side.Everton please don't disappoint us. David Cooper 9 Posted 20/08/2025 at 17:32:25 Just reported! Everton need a wide player? Leon Bailey previously of Villa gone on loan to Roma! Whose side is TGG on? David Cooper 10 Posted 20/08/2025 at 17:33:45 Leon Bailey on loan to Roma. Whose side is TFG on? Stephen Davies 11 Posted 20/08/2025 at 17:38:56 Oh dear.Gloomy stuff from The Bobble on his Patreon podPosted by Andy W [User Info] on August 20, 2025, 5:02 pmNo real progress on any deals this week and the Transfer Committee are divided on certain deals, including Dibling.McNeil might be up for sale if we get a winger inBranthwaite likely out for 6-7 weeks. Geoff Lambert 12 Posted 20/08/2025 at 18:29:17 Forest reach agreement to sigh Douglas Luiz Geoff Lambert 13 Posted 20/08/2025 at 18:34:43 Palace in for Dibbling also. Andrew McLawrence 14 Posted 20/08/2025 at 19:51:40 What are the chances that there will be no more incomings? Mark Boullé 15 Posted 20/08/2025 at 20:14:49 Not even a sniff of a hint of a rumour anywhere. Nothing for Brighton now, another wonderfully imbalanced selection incoming. Sam Hoare 16 Posted 20/08/2025 at 20:16:03 Back in for Dibling apparently. If we ever left.Renato Veiga for £20m seems good value. I’d have him in a heartbeat. Could play a few positions for us. Rob Halligan 17 Posted 20/08/2025 at 20:34:51 One or two media outlets now suggesting we will make a further bid for Dibling, which Southampton will probably accept. El Bobble also saying Southampton have now given Dibling permission to speak to Everton. Like everything else, I will only believe it when it’s confirmed. Christy Ring 18 Posted 20/08/2025 at 20:41:43 I see where Arsenal are now in for Eze, and he's a fan, Spurs looking to include Richardson in part exchange. Would he not do a job at 9 for us? Also Forest looking at Cash, a good fullback? Rob Halligan 19 Posted 20/08/2025 at 20:44:04 Christy, I can’t see Richarlison wanting to go to Palace as part of any deal for Eze. Think he wants to stay at Spurs. Christy Ring 20 Posted 20/08/2025 at 20:49:40 Rob, he doesn't want to go to Palace, but it seems Frank wants Wissa, so he must know he's not in his plans? Stephen Davies 21 Posted 20/08/2025 at 21:13:26 Arsenal agree deal for Eze.. according to David Ornstein Stephen Davies 22 Posted 20/08/2025 at 21:24:47 Blimey!Everton are working on a deal to sign Manchester City's Nathan Ake! 🔵 Jay Harris 23 Posted 21/08/2025 at 05:36:19 so, the elite committee can't make a decision between them. Explains a lot.Now we can wait till all the good players are gone and clubs won't want to sell because they can't get a replacement in time.Everton's recruitment has been nothing short of scandalous. Mike Gaynes 24 Posted 21/08/2025 at 05:57:55 Jay, I hope you enjoy crow. I predict it's going to be a culinary habit for you. Steve Shave 25 Posted 21/08/2025 at 06:18:53 I'd love us to get Richy back, on loan only. Especially if there is half decent money on the table for Beto! Dibling please and yes to the shout above for Matty Cash, good right back. I think we will all be pleased with what we actually bring in by the end of the window, its just this painful bit that is hard to watch as will no doubt be the football until we can string a first 11 together. Ajay Gopal 26 Posted 21/08/2025 at 06:59:29 The Premier League is like the African jungles with a clear hierarchy in the food chain. The lions make the kill and gorge themselves on the prey. After they have had their fill, the hyenas come in and pick up whatever juicy bits are left. Then come the jackals and the vultures to pick on the carrion. Presently, Everton are the jackals/vultures. The lions are the Sly 6/8. The hyenas are the likes of Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford. We are down there with the newly promoted teams and the perpetual strugglers - Wolves, Fulham, West Ham, etc, trying to pick up the left-overs. Doesn't necessarily mean that we will be perpetually down there, but it will need some clear vision and smart management, and - sorry to say, I don't see evidence of that with the new owners yet. Ian Bennett 27 Posted 21/08/2025 at 07:14:32 Id take Ake. Quick, good on the ball, can cover left centre back and left back, and could probably play in front of the back 4.But thst doesn't change we need right wing, midfield, right back, striker. Ian Bennett 28 Posted 21/08/2025 at 08:23:44 Honestly Sam, I just thinking it is where we are in the pecking order.We don't seem to be able to attract top talent. So if theres an opportunity to get someone that will improve the quality, it looks like they'll take it.It doesn't solve the holes positionally in the side. But there's that many perhaps its a worth while strategy.Id sign Ake to give us 3 left footed options at the back plus an emerging talent. It is needed, just perhaps not as much as midfield, right wing or striker. Jake FitzGerald 29 Posted 21/08/2025 at 08:30:08 Not a betting man but I’d put money on a severely spurned Spurs steaming in and paying Southampton whatever they want for Dibling in the next 48 hrs. James Marshall 30 Posted 21/08/2025 at 08:37:16 Ajay - good analogy and a dose of realism on who Everton these days.Loving off scraps is bang on. We're no better off than the promoted teams for certain. Alan McGuffog 31 Posted 21/08/2025 at 08:40:04 Ajay, wrong continent but I'd say we were more like the sloth Ray Jacques 32 Posted 21/08/2025 at 08:55:36 Dibling will go to Palace as a replacement for Eze.See Forest in for Matty Cash of Villa. He is better than any of our full backs.The recruitment is a shambles. Ray Jacques 33 Posted 21/08/2025 at 08:57:41 Very good analogy Ajay, but I think we are the fleas on the vultures. James Marshall 34 Posted 21/08/2025 at 08:58:22 Ray - Cash is a Forest academy product so not a far reach him going back to them. Especially as Villa have PSR concerns and Forest have European football to offer.We have very little to offer other than a new stadium. Stuart Sharp 35 Posted 21/08/2025 at 09:04:01 Ray, the analogy may be ok, but the zoology is shocking. None of those animals live in jungles. And hyenas regularly outcompete lions. I expect better on TW. I'll get my coat. James Marshall 36 Posted 21/08/2025 at 09:08:45 City are selling Akanji to Galatasary so if we're buying Ake I'd be surprised if anything happens before City buy another centre half.Selling both without a replacement would leave them well short at the back. Ray Said 37 Posted 21/08/2025 at 10:28:25 David Cooper (9) the Bailey deal has been held up with problems in the medical so we may have been wise (for once) to avoid the player Dave Lynch 38 Posted 21/08/2025 at 11:34:38 Reported that Palace are in for Dibling and are reported to be considering a £45M offer. Joe McMahon 39 Posted 21/08/2025 at 12:00:31 Dave #38, Spurs may panic now with missing out on Eze. But he's not a ready game changer like Eze.Got to feel for Palace here, been hit with Conference and losing their best player to the vultures. Raymond Fox 40 Posted 21/08/2025 at 12:16:09 I agree, Joe, Eze is a top top player, Dibling is a prospect.I still think we will sign Dibling even though there must be more doubt now. Sam Hoare 41 Posted 21/08/2025 at 12:25:08 A Quick Look on social media suggests a lot of Spurs fans don't want Dibling at £45M. They'd prefer Savinho or Akliouche or Fofana. They may have a point. Ged Simpson 42 Posted 21/08/2025 at 12:35:00 Let's be smart Blues.Otherwise the agents win and we inevitably look like manipulated idiots as the big money plays with our love.Grr x Kunal Desai 43 Posted 21/08/2025 at 12:41:45 I'm getting more Brownhill, Coufal and Sterling deadline day vibes. Brian Harrison 44 Posted 21/08/2025 at 12:57:08 Maybe we might end up with Baines and Reid from the legends game, both available and no fee needed. Mind with Kinnear as our CEO doubt he would get these done before the window closes. Josh Horne 45 Posted 21/08/2025 at 13:27:58 Looking on the bright side, Dibling going to Spurs is going to tip a few on here over the edge. Should be entertaining. Martin Berry 46 Posted 21/08/2025 at 14:49:09 If we lose out with Dibling going to Spurs or Palace, I think it will be an uncomfortable sit for TFG on Sunday, new stadium or not.Hopefully at least a couple of new signings by Sunday (okay, I fantasize) would go down nicely when displayed at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Phil (Kelsall) Roberts 47 Posted 21/08/2025 at 15:09:53 Whenever we talk about upping our bid for Dibling…Just remember Sigurdsson. Luke Welch 48 Posted 21/08/2025 at 15:12:03 This is starting to feel a bit like Koeman's first transfer window; no real plan of how the team will play. Jay Harris 49 Posted 21/08/2025 at 15:25:38 So instead of a DOF and manager collaborating (Assuming they get on) we now have 4 or 5 on a committee that can't make a decision between them.Too many cooks spoil the broth — or, in our case, fail to serve any broth. Brendan McLaughlin 50 Posted 21/08/2025 at 15:27:31 Phil #47FFS... what's Dibling alleged to have done now? Sam Hoare 51 Posted 21/08/2025 at 15:29:46 Losing out on Dibling at £50M might be a blessing in disguise. Depends who we get instead. And if he turns out to be quite as good as the hype suggests. Christy Ring 52 Posted 21/08/2025 at 17:01:52 Phil #47, Dunc was saying in his book how Koeman offered £25M for Sigurdsson, there was no other club in for him, and he kept upping the bid and signed him for £45M, with no one bidding against him, he couldn't believe it. Kieran Kinsella 53 Posted 21/08/2025 at 17:09:25 I cannot imagine frugal Palace cashing in on their best player — a proven Premier League player and England international — and using most of that money to gamble on some promising kid from Southampton. Martin Berry 54 Posted 22/08/2025 at 00:21:27 Bissouma looks like he has a rap sheet that Royston Drenthe would be proud of, a lunatic who likes speeding, laughing gas and turning up late for training, and comes with so many problems, file any story under bog paper. No wonder Spurs want to sell him cheap and out the door asap.We need signings we know, but will Davy be given some good news before the Brighton game ?, another defeat and TFG may well be squirming in their chairs come 4pm Sunday. Mike Gaynes 55 Posted 22/08/2025 at 03:17:15 James McAtee also signed for Forest. Cross him off the list. Christy #52, believe it or not that was actually Usmanov doing the bidding, not Koeman. Usmanov wanted to buy a big money player for ego reasons. 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