Everton have a lot of work to do in the transfer market as the Premier League season is fast approaching.
Along with the permanent arrival of Carlos Alcaraz following a successful loan with the Toffees, just three other players have been signed ahead of the club’s first season of a new era.
Shortly before the confirmation of Adam Aznou’s move to the Hill Dickinson stadium, David Moyes said that he still needed “nine or ten” additions to his squad – quite the statement with less than a month of the window remaining.
Everton’s final pre-season match will be the curtain-raiser for the new stadium against Roma, before a trip to Elland Road to begin the Premier League season nine days later.
After the Blues’ 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Sunday, Moyes made a new admission regarding the construction of his squad, with time marching fast.
David Moyes reveals worries about Everton’s transfer bedding-in period
After a positive end to last season, there was reason for optimism among the Everton support ahead of Moyes’ first full campaign.
However, speaking after his side’s third and final match of their USA trip, the Blues boss revealed the particular aspect of the lack of transfer business which is concerning him.
Moyes said: “The bedding-in period is starting to worry me, because time is shortening down, but I’m really positive we will get quite a few players in before the window shuts.
“Out of all the positions, having a right-sided player is probably one I would have liked to have through the door first, if that was possible. We’ve tried for a few but not got them over the line yet.
“There’s a lot of work going on with us trying to get deals through, but I’m not going to shout out the names, because there are so many flying around, you’re not sure where to start with!”
Everton have failed to win in any of their five pre-season fixtures so far, perhaps a sign that Moyes and his team are in need of some help.
Everton’s positive transfer business so far
Aside from Mark Travers, who is likely to spend much of the season on the bench as back-up to Jordan Pickford, Everton’s other signings have all been aged 22 or younger.
This is a clear sign that the club’s new management structure is trying to change the age profile of Moyes’ squad, a trend which may continue between now and the end of the window.
| Player | Transfer price |
|---|---|
| Carlos Alcaraz | £12m |
| Thierno Barry | £27m |
| Mark Travers | £4m |
| Adam Aznou | £10m |
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ashley Young are among those to have departed the club this summer, with Orel Mangala, Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom also leaving Merseyside following the expiration of their loans.
This has created significant gaps in the squad, including on the right wing, as Moyes has vocalised. For him, Angus Kinnear and Nick Hammond, the focus will be on upping the tempo of their attempts to address them.