Moroccan left-back Adam Aznou joins Everton from Bayern Munich

More of this please.

And we already have a left-back.

Otherwise, made up! 🤣

He's gone from 3rd choice to 2nd choice at club football.

Well, it's better than the other way around, I suppose... but aren't we meant to be stealing unknown prospects from minnow clubs in Mickey Mouse leagues?

Not rejects from the Academies of European Giants???

We can't let anyone go on loan unless we have replacements for them. Is he joining up with the squad in the USA?

Can he play in different positions?

From The Athletic:

It was during the 2023-24 season that Adam Aznou first appeared on Everton's radar. The former Barcelona youngster shone from full-back as Bayern Munich's B side reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Youth League, beating Manchester United twice along the way.

Everton have long monitored such tournaments.

Alongside full-time scouts based in France and Spain, the club's European senior scout, Phil Boardman, is known to be an active presence at games. The aim was to identify future talents before they hit the senior ranks. But until now, resources in this area have been limited.

Almost two years on, Aznou, 19, is now an Everton player.

Talks accelerated last week over an initial €9million (£7.8m/$10.4m) move, which contains add-ons. By the weekend, he had been granted permission by Bayern to miss the start of their pre-season to travel for a medical, which he underwent on Monday. Such is the regard he is held in at Bayern, the German champions have insisted on a sell-on clause as part of the deal. Offers came from France and Germany too, but Everton were always in the box-seat and seen as a logical next step in his career.

Even at this age, Aznou's talent is in little doubt. Having already played three times for Morocco at senior level, the view in recruitment circles is that Everton have signed one of Europe's top full-back prospects.

The problem for Aznou at Bayern was that the path to first-team minutes in his favoured left-back position was blocked by Alphonso Davies and Raphael Guerreiro, while the Bavarian club have Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry to call on further forward down that flank. It became obvious this summer that those situations were unlikely to change anytime soon.

At least from Aznou's side, then, this move is about ensuring more game time. Having spent the second half of last season on loan at Spain's Real Valladolid, further opportunities are needed to turn his promise into something more tangible.

Everton needed left-back cover. The departure of versatile veteran Ashley Young when his contract expired at the end of June left Ukraine international Vitalii Mykolenko as the senior squad's sole specialist on that side. That lack of depth was emphasised on Saturday in the 3-0 defeat to fellow Premier League side Bournemouth on tour in the United States, where injuries in central defence saw Mykolenko moved inside and Dwight McNeil filling in at wing-back. It proved an imperfect solution that brought inevitably poor results.

Aznou is expected to begin as cover for starter Mykolenko, but there is a feeling he can shoulder some of the burden if needed and develop into someone with a higher ceiling, particularly in attack.

The teenager is flexible positionally, having featured in more advanced areas at Valladolid. In his time at Bayern, Aznou had stints at right-back — somewhere else Everton currently look light on quality.

The hope at Everton is that they turn into a more attacking, front-foot side over time, one that pushes the full-backs on and can control games. It is believed players such as Aznou will be key in helping them achieve this.

When he took over midway through last season, manager David Moyes pushed Mykolenko up the field with mixed results. While the 26-year-old produced the odd moment of quality into the box from the left flank, like the ball to set up Carlos Alcaraz's winner in the final-day victory over Newcastle United, he remains better known for his defensive work.

In that sense, Aznou should be a useful counterbalance in the squad, bringing different elements to the table. Having been developed in the academy at hometown club Barcelona before joining Bayern in 2022, he is a prolific ball carrier, ranking in the top percentile for dribble volume (measured by dribbles attempted per 100 touches), among full-backs in Europe's top five leagues.

With the exceptions of Alcaraz and Iliman Ndiaye, Moyes has lacked players who can progress the ball upfield through carrying or passing. In Aznou, he now has someone who can potentially do both.

The teenager's statistics for front-footed defending point to him having an aggressive, proactive style out of possession. His low link-up and ball retention scores are notable, but probably a function of Valladolid's style. They were relegated after finishing bottom of La Liga, and had the fourth-lowest possession share in the 20-team division.

The other caveat here is that Aznou played just 876 minutes in Spain's top flight last season, and such a sample size is small enough to be prone to statistical variance. That said, those who have tracked his progress since his days in Bayern's youth ranks point to a player keen to express himself in the final third and get his side up the pitch.

Much like 22-year-old fellow Everton newcomer Thierno Barry, Aznou has been signed as a talented young player who can contribute now, but whose best years are almost certainly ahead of him.

He only turned 19 in early July, so patience will be required as he steps up a level in physicality and adapts to a new country and a different style of play. And there are no sure-fire bets in recruitment, and certainly not with teenagers still making their way in the game.

That said, Aznou's arrival addresses a position of need in the Everton squad. And if those UEFA Youth League performances with Bayern — the ones that first piqued their interest — can become the norm in England's top flight too, then they have another exciting prospect on their hands.

Next!

Maybe he could have a word with him!

An attacking left back, not only will he add competition for Mykolenko, he will give Moyes options as he is naturally an attacking full back.

Welcome to the club that will be your home for the next few years, young man. Just don't get selected for the African Nations this coming winter!!

You have details about the sell-on clause, I believe?

From what I've read and seen on this guy, he has all the potential in the world. He's still young and so decision-making naturally requires work but he is a great athlete with an eye for a pass and crucially the ability to beat his man and get out of tight spaces.

Think he will be a real asset in games where we expect to have more of the ball or are chasing an equalizer. Might see him on the right as well. Excellent signing in my opinion.

But we do need proper first-team incoming at right-back, right-wing, and probably central midfield.

Looks like a very promising signing. Let's keep them coming!

But now we urgently need a right-back and a right-winger with real pace. Real soon.

Hopefully we can now get Fofana over the line, then it's not looking so bad.

I think someone posted previously on these pages that the recruitment team didn't know left hand from right hand. Others questioning how we can do business with the team, CEO and Manager in the US.

Well, it's 2025 and we live in an interconnected world with a team behind them. Business can go on. Once the manager gives his preference, the CEO approves, it's over to others to sort out the negotiations and contracts.

Will it be CM, Brownhill next on a free? Followed by Maitland-Niles, who can play RB / DM / RM.

Leave Grealish to the Offy and get McAtee or Luiz. Then an arl arse CF and finally a decent youngish RW.

A fourth player now recruited who has:

- top flight experience in top 5 league; and

- can be part of the First Team squad for between 5 and 10 years (maybe more).

Tiny fee too.

I would have thought he will be coming here to give Mykolenko a real run for his money and try to take that First XI spot as soon as possible. I could also see Mykolenko being used as Branthwaite's replacement at CB (seeing as though he's a left footer also), freeing up space at left back on occassion.

Michael, I know you don't really mean it but Champions League club academies are very much one of the markets in which to do our shopping – since they provide good value.

Good value / low cost markets don't need to very exotic. It can mean Scotland, the Championship, Ireland etc etc. Generally anywhere but the extremely over-priced and overrated Premier League which is the worst value in world football.

Always a gamble buying young players, but upside could be enormous. Downside a slight loss on the fee if it doesn't work out.

It looks good business for cover, with sensible wages.

I thought I was bad grumbling to myself we will lose him in the African Cup of Nations.

I believe there is a “Matching Rights” built into his contract, which as far as I know means that if we sell him in the future, and Bayern match the offer of the buying club, then Bayern have first dibs on him, which is different to a buy-back clause which Everton rejected.

What we need now is a Barry or McCarthy type midfielder, a no-nonsense decent player in centre-mid. I wouldn't mind a RB RW and a snidey pain in the arse for defences forward.

No much to ask really — just don't pay over the odds.

My impression is that everybody is delighted and a few just have an offbeat way of expressing it.

Welcome to Everton, Adam, a brighter future is waiting to be enjoyed.

What was the rush to bring in Roy Kinnear?

Remember the Moshiri years, Koeman signing 50 Number 10s (slight exaggerating on my part) but for fuck's sake, these are the types of players we need.

Nothing.

Never learn from our mistakes.

Everton Out.

My post was very much tongue-in-cheek.

At this rate, we could be getting a few more in, a mix of young and prime players to give the squad strength in numbers and depth. We need this to move up and make a good run in the cups, especially that friggin elusive League Cup!

Christ, the negativity on this site…!

Perhaps the same folk who have already written off a recent treble winner, a generational talent, because Guardiola stopped playing him.

Others think they know all about how the transfer market works, but none of them really understand what's going on fully.

This latest signing is very encouraging, and a reason to be positive. We're all hoping for more, but while we'd all prefer earlier business, it's often just not possible. I'm sure more are on their way.

However, we need lads capable of coming straight into the team or off the bench and making a significant difference.

Why not call everyone who transfers a reject, or anyone who changes jobs etc, cheap and miserable perspective IMHO.

Fact is a lot of people over here are really pissed off at Vincent Kompany for allowing this transfer to go through. Well done, Everton. Keep it up.

With regard to his age, if he's good enough he's old enough. I don't think Bournemouth regretted signing (and playing) Dean Huijsen at a similar age.

Niels Nkounkou played 12 games for Eintracht Frankfurt last season in the Bundesliga. Seems like he is on his way to fullfil his potential.

First point, a change of direction and structure from the club. Not uncommon in any business when there is an acquisition and takeover.

Second one, we took a gamble on a 21-year-old Seamus Coleman, who had only played for Sligo Rovers in the Irish League. Okay, not 19, but that adds perspective.

Any signing is a gamble, more so with young players, but I'm happy with this one. Barcelona and Bayern is not a bad CV.

We need quality, we need youth, we can't pay out the money for a top-class 24-year-old, we have gotten rid of Young, put Coleman out to pasture and are left with our own academy players who are deemed unlikely to make it or need more time.

The principal of his purchase is good; like all things, it's a gamble… but the potential to quickly step up to Premier League level is there. I hope.

Looks like he has some pace and can put a tackle in as well.

Welcome aboard, young man.

Age and position being the same aren't valid reasons for never signing a player again if one doesn't last here.

Can we now please concentrate all our efforts on a goalscoring winger, a goalscoring midfield player, a top quality right-back, a goalscoring forward and a goalscoring utility player...

They were skillful, tenacious and never gave up …. and the fans are different class, so fingers crossed.

Danny, I think the left from right was a nod to the fact he's a leftie and we are desperate for righties!

Welcome aboard, young man, make some special memories here.

My wife is Moroccan, so I take a keen interest in all things Morocco.

The King of Morocco is putting a lot of money into football and they have opened up an academy. The football centre in the capital, Rabat (the Mohammed VI Complex) is probably one of the best around the world.

Like many things in Morocco, football is developing at a fast rate. Kids playing on the streets. There is also a lot of Moroccans who live in France and Spain so they will benefit from dual nationality.

And yes, the fans are crazy, but Moroccans are some of the most friendly people I've ever met.

We just need a couple of more young players to play alongside the senior players for Moyes's team-building process.

I suspect he will need a lot of coaching defensively.

I don't mind he isn't a starter, Mykolenko is a decent enough left-back who might get better now someone is after his shirt. Excellent stuff.

Right-back and right-midfield next and a quality central midfielder on loan please!

What we don't have is a recognised right-back, unless we're going to include Patterson, Coleman and playing O'Brien out of position again.

Kevin, I know he describes himself as more attacking. Isn't that what many have been calling out for? But I do understand that a full back should first and foremost be able to defend.

I'm sure that, having come through La Masia at Barcelona and then Bayern's academy, he will have been coached. It doesn't mean he won't need further development and coaching, but he's on good footing.

Currently Morocco are 12th in the FIFA overall world rankings, one place behind Italy.

Good to get a prospect on board, now for some immediate improvements to the starting eleven, please.

Apparently, we have £40M left in the transfer kitty. If we spend £30M on Luiz, that leaves just £30M and so we are definitely looking at bringing in loan players which we know happens at the 11th hour and is not good for the start of the season.

I would like to see Maitland-Niles join as well as a winger but not sure we would have enough to buy both. I would definitely give Grealish a punt on loan as he wants to play in next year's World Cup and is real quality. Carlsley played him for England and that says it all for me.

I think Gustavo Hamer from Sheffield Utd is also worth a shot, whether on loan or a purchase on the cheap. That is only 4 signings and so we would still need 2 to 3 loan players. Definitely cannot let Armstrong leave either.

Well, if we're going all if we're allowed to dream, how about this.

First XI:

Barry [£28M]
Ndiaye
Dibling [£40M]
Grealish [Loan]
Gallagher [Loan]
Garner
Mykolenko
Rensch [Loan]
Branthwaite
Tarkowski
Pickford

Second XI:

Beto
McNeil
Alcaraz [£12M]
Armstrong [Academy]
Gueye
Iroegbunam
Aznou [£8M]
Coufal [£0]
Keane
O'Brien
Travers [£5M]

Not sure about the 2nd XI but the 1st XI looks good...

I read today we had £100M in the kitty.

I believe we paid £27M for Barry, £15M for Alcaraz, £8M for Aznou and £5M for Travers. Which adds to £55M.

I hope you are right in that we have a pot of £150M because we certainly are in need of some extra funds to bring in the players we desperately need.

While it won't be great to have a bit of a depleted squad while that tournament is on, I wouldn't mind our new lad picking up some tips from his teammate Hakimi while he's out there!

I saw your post on another thread regarding traveling over to take in a game at the new stadium, and your concerns of obtaining a ticket.
I know Danny and Liam kindly offered you their season tickets. Another option for you and likewise other exiled blues is the Unique seat site.
Tickets are available for every home league game this season. I know they are more expensive but you would save the cost of the blue members scheme.

Just hoping he’s experienced at least one Bavarian winter otherwise he might be in for a bit of a shock in about 4 months time.

Ashley #67, nobody has any idea about the true size of our transfer kitty. TFG has said exactly nothing. And the much-quoted £150M was an invention by a clickbait writer.

Ryan #60, maybe we can pick up a new fan base!

Good luck Aznou. Welcome to Everton!

“This boy’s a young boy. Maybe not quite ready yet, but we hope he will be shortly. We see a lot of good things in him, technically very good, he is athletic. He might just need a little bit to get himself built up and ready for the Premier League so.

“We won’t be putting him under any pressure and we won’t be giving any guarantees to the supporters of seeing him right away.

“We will be observing him ourselves. We’ve heard lots of good things about him – what we’ve seen we liked.“

But you always have those doubts with every player.

The key with this guy is that he's 19, came through the Barca academy, was at Bayern Munich, is capped at international level... even if he flops it's hard to believe he'd be worth less than what we've apparently paid.

So I can say 'good signing' without seeing him play.

Unless Mykolenko (and Branthwaite ar”s cover) are unavailable, he will feature in the first team about as often as Harrison Armstrong.

Feel sorry for Moyes, as he is sounding increasingly desperate for experienced signings.

He is young, he maybe a good player and prove a good purchase.

Danny mentioned Coleman (great player for us), but forgot to mention the guys who have not made it, ie:

Luke Garbutt.
Brendan Galloway.
Nkounkou
Patterson.

We seem to be chasing and hanging on for players who would rather be elsewhere (bigger club, European football). Isn't that part of the process, establishing if they want to join Everton, be part of our journey???

If they’re not, then move on to ones that are, and don't waste time hanging on for very unlikely transfers.

The need for a squad rebuild was known about a long time ago; there should have been a plan with clear targets (with options). I don't see it.

May you flourish.

I wouldn't read too much into it.

That the manager thinks that is likely?

Personally I agree with him – it's not a huge surprise either is it given the state of the squad, departures and our finances.

It'd be nice if Moyes was a bit more defiant but we know the ropes.

At the time, both Small and Samuels-Smith were widely regarded as having enormous potential and were considered major losses for Everton. I’d be very interested to hear from contributors like Robert and Sam, who have much deeper knowledge than me, how they assess this deal in comparison to losing those two players. And how would they compare and contrast the three?