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In a week’s time, on September 1, the summer transfer window will slam shut (it always has to slam shut, it can never just close gradually). And while Everton have addressed some of their needs, they are still lacking in some key areas, and they still have plenty of work to do. Angus Kinnear claimed 70% of the Premier League’s deals get done in the final week of the transfer window. I’m not particularly sure on the accuracy of his claim, but it will certainly be a busy time for lots of clubs. Everton need to be busy too, so with a week to go, here’s what still needs to happen. BUY A RIGHT-BACK This can’t get any more obvious. It’s already dragged on far too long — Kinnear can dress it up how he likes, it’s a failure that a right-back is not already through the door. David Moyes, in his post-match press conference after the win over Crystal Palace, said Everton want to ensure they get a quality option in that position, but it simply should not have taken so long. They cannot allow this situation to drag on into deadline day, either. Kinnear has said a right-back will come in, and the club must get it done. MOVE ON SOME FRINGE PLAYERS Tim Iroegbunam seemed as if he could be on his way to Hull City, but the Tigers are keen to structure a deal heavily in their favour, and have used a minor injury to the midfielder to support that negotiation target. Everton are open to moving Iroegbunam on for the right fee, and the correct structure of a deal, and I still see this as one that’s likely to get done, whether it’s to Hull or another team. Carlos Alcaraz is also up for grabs. I like Charly, he’s got plenty of talent and drive, but Moyes just does not seem to trust him. There has, however, been a significant lack of interest in the playmaker so far, but I would not be at all surprised if a loan move, perhaps with an obligation or option to buy, comes to fruition late in the day. Nathan Patterson simply must be sold. I don’t know what Everton are waiting for. Moyes isn’t going to play him, so what’s the point? Let the lad move on. That trio are the main fringe players who could move on without impacting the squad too much. LOAN OUT AZNOU Adam Aznou was a notable absentee from Everton’s squad against Palace. No reason was given for his absence, either. It’s a huge shame, as Aznou has impressed in pre-season and, in my book, should have made the bench ahead of Patterson, given the Scot is so clearly up for sale. But it goes to prove the point that Aznou, right now, is not seen as ready for Premier League football, fairly or unfairly. And if he isn’t going to get some minutes, then he needs to be out on loan and playing regularly, which means Everton making a call and getting a temporary switch sorted in the coming days. They’ll then need to go and bolster their left-back options, but that needs to happen anyway, as this should be Vitaliy Mykolenko’s final season at the club. SHIFT BETO IF POSSIBLE Beto will never get any criticism from me for his effort or endeavour, or his desire to do well for Everton. However, he is 28 and has just a year left on his deal, though Everton do reportedly hold an option to extend his contract by a further season. But really, Everton should be looking to cash in on Beto now, and that could open the door to bring in a forward who actually plays like they have the experience of a 28- or 29-year-old, which Beto simply does not do more often than not. Beto is a good finisher and between February and May, he seems to turn into a different beast, but his all-round game is lacking and that can really hamper Everton’s build-up play. If a good offer comes in, say in the £17-20M region, then Everton should cash in, albeit they will have to ensure a quality replacement is lined up. MAKE A CALL ON GREALISH AND NDIAYE I’m of the view that if Jack Grealish is to come back, then it will not necessarily mean that Iliman Ndiaye leaves the club. However, if Ndiaye is to leave, then let’s put it this way — I don’t see another winger coming in on top of Grealish. Grealish featured as Manchester City came from 1-0 down to beat Bournemouth 2-1 on Sunday, but the feeling is he is still very much up for grabs. Perhaps City will change their tune, but if Everton want him, which they clearly do, at least on loan, then the deal is probably there to be done right up until the end. I’d be all for Grealish coming back, but the points about a potential move then blocking the pathway of Tyrique George or Tyler Dibling are fair. If it is a case of Ndiaye out, Grealish in, then there would be no pathways being blocked, because really, George and Dibling should not be starting every game anyway. But, losing Ndiaye at this point would seem a bit of a sickener, especially to a Premier League rival, which would likely be the case. City have been credited with interest, and you’d imagine Ndiaye’s name may be brought up in relation to talks over Grealish, while Arsenal and Manchester United are also fans of the Senegal international. Aston Villa, too, could be ones to watch, albeit the same could be said when it comes to Grealish. What Everton must do when it comes to Ndiaye is set a clear deadline and a high benchmark. As Moyes has said, it would take an “outrageous” offer for Everton to come to the table. Well, Kinnear and Co. must make sure that it really is an outrageous fee — nothing less than £70M should be considered at this stage of the summer. Read more - Selling Jake O'Brien would be a step in the wrong direction for Everton Reader Comments (42) 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 () 1 Posted 25/08/2026 at 11:33:43 He is our best player, a player who could definitely be a match-winner if we are going to try and compete and win a trophy this season. 2 Posted 25/08/2026 at 11:40:41 Tony, whilst Ndiaye is undoubtedly our most skillful player (IMO, Jordan Pickford is our best player), do you think he has what it takes to move to one of the big clubs? The two chances he made too easy for Henderson on Saturday tell me he's at his level right now. 3 Posted 25/08/2026 at 11:41:51 "What about that big lad, Rory Delap?" 4 Posted 25/08/2026 at 11:49:15 Is that "your" opinion or the opinion of the club? Because what happens at Everton is a riddle, wrapped up in a mystery, inside an enigma. [To quote Churchill.] I wouldn't be surprised if nothing happened and I wouldn't be surprised if we signed 3 world class left-backs all at once.\ Me... I'm at a total loss and quite frankly don't care anymore. 5 Posted 25/08/2026 at 12:01:31 Plus possibly Ndiaye… I think in an ideal world we should move on some of these players (not Ndiaye) but we have to have a squad and, as things stand, everyone we have been linked with is going somewhere else. I'm all for exacting value, but at the expense of missing targets, it can be a bit foolhardy. 6 Posted 25/08/2026 at 12:12:42 Pickford is a great shot-stopper, I'm not sure his overall game is completely A-Grade though, but like Ndiaye, he's another player that I look at and think to myself “We have definitely got enough good players to try and compete in the cups." 7 Posted 25/08/2026 at 12:36:43 With Ndiaye, I just feel he lacks a little bit of end product to play for a team at the top of the league. 8 Posted 25/08/2026 at 12:53:21 1. We know we need a right-back. Then there are reports we have shown interest in a particular right-back. We have been “interested” in about 8 right-backs. Just go choose one and sign one. Any one. We don't have a right-back. 2. I'm not sure Grealish is needed. George was beating defenders with his pace on the weekend. Grealish slows the whole movement down. 3. Why Aznou would be loaned out is beyond me. In my opinion, he should start at left-back. 4. Ndiaye shouldn't be sold... full stop. He has a contract. We need him to get to Europe. 5. We need another centre-back, and a midfielder. 6. Most importantly, we need a striker. If not, we'll be the team that has the least goals scored against us, and the least goals for. We have to score goals and so we need a proper striker. Come on! 9 Posted 25/08/2026 at 12:56:01 It was only one game but if we can get a fullback, a forward and another central defender, especially if O’Brien leaves, then I genuinely believe we could beat any team on our day, so hopefully we get a few surprises in the final week of this transfer window🤞 10 Posted 25/08/2026 at 13:17:36 Who? OUR Beto?? 11 Posted 25/08/2026 at 13:29:07 I think for a deadline it would seriously have to be close of play Friday, and any offer would now have to be £70m+ add ons. I guess the thing is, Everton technically don't need to spend the money on a replacement as such, if we go off the basis that Grealish would be a likely replacement should he return. But it would make little sense to suddenly have £80m to play with on deadline day, and not spend it. 12 Posted 25/08/2026 at 13:30:35 Sorry to hear that. I appreciate that we are treading over the same ground but we do try to mix up our reporting and features as much as possible. Ultimately it's the transfer window, and the final week of it, and ins and outs will dominate the agenda. Hopefully there'll be enough coming up with the Preston and Bournemouth matches that we can mix things up even more! 13 Posted 25/08/2026 at 13:45:30 But personally I think he’s more a wing back than a full back and we can’t play that system, especially if JoB goes. 14 Posted 25/08/2026 at 13:59:21 Rohl and Aznou could make decent wing backs given time in that role, but neither should be first choice in our back four. So the need for new fullbacks remains as strong as ever, as does a true goal scoring finisher. 15 Posted 25/08/2026 at 14:04:09 It also means taking one out of midfield and bringing George and Ndiaye inside rather than wings. I’m not sure we could adapt to that style. 16 Posted 25/08/2026 at 15:12:25 Given Moyes just won’t play him, Patterson should be sold. That really means we need 2 right backs, not 1 - unless we’re just going to say that Röhl is the second RB option. Iroegbunam has a good chance of developing into a physically dominant Premier League midfielder. I’d much rather use him than Norgaard, so do we give up and sell him? Do we loan him? Norgaard has 2 years, tops, by which time Iroegbunam will be a much better option. Likewise, Alcaraz is a good player and needs to play. In some circumstances, Dewsbury-Hall should be alongside Garner with Alcaraz behind the striker. We don’t need to sell anyone, Aznou should be in the squad every game and an option as an attacking substitution if we’re chasing a goal. Moyes’ failure to use players, and especially use substitutes well, makes it not totally clear what we ‘should’ do. The only thing we ‘need’ is a right back, but every other position except central midfield could be improved. O’Brien and Branthwaite should be the centre backs and we need at least one new one, probably two, at some point in the next 12 months. 17 Posted 25/08/2026 at 15:13:58 18 Posted 25/08/2026 at 15:18:34 I am sure Dibbling and Johnson will get a run out tomorrow and probably Keane or O,Brien will start in defence, also I would imagine Beto gets a start. It really is hard to believe that the fullback and striker that were needed last season and probably more so this season, with days left neither position has been filled. The problem when you leave everything so late you end up with 3rd or 4th choices for those positions. 19 Posted 25/08/2026 at 15:25:01 20 Posted 25/08/2026 at 15:51:32 We cant score enough from open play and we leak too many goals. 2 quality full backs and a "proper" goalscorer who can also control the ball has been a glaring need for too long now. There are no excuses Angus. Just get it done. At 3m a place and the chance of Europe and a cup its a no brainer. Pay the money and get them in. 21 Posted 25/08/2026 at 15:59:26 Norton-Cuffy? All seems to have gone quiet on that front! No doubt we’ll end up with Johnston if we can get his wheelchair through the door! Delap looking like a done deal at Forest although talk is of a loan agreement.Fair enough,he’s not worth £40M in my opinion. Ndiaye is going nowhere.Can’t see any potential CL club paying north of £70M for him.I agree with Andrew@2&7 above. Grealish may still happen but only if the sums are right for us. He is better than anything we have got and you can’t have enough skilful players in the squad. Seems to be some interest in Beto from Italy,I’d let him go given his contract circumstances Regards moving on Patterson,Alcaraz etc easy to say but the reality is nobody wants them. Jake O’Brien moving on seems unlikely to me. I’m not convinced he is a great centre back but we cannot afford to be without cover in this area. I’d be looking at Jackson from Chelsea on loan if possible,but wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t sign anyone this week!! Still that’s the Everton way, 22 Posted 25/08/2026 at 16:02:00 23 Posted 25/08/2026 at 16:06:47 It wouldn't surprise me if Moyes uses Rohl and JOB at RB this season bringing players in the last few days of the window is not at all ideal 24 Posted 25/08/2026 at 16:52:28 Smacks of having no money and this is our squad for the season. Prove me wrong! 25 Posted 25/08/2026 at 17:25:20 As for Grealish: AC Milan is interested in him. I don't think he's coming back. With the transfer window about to close, we're missing a right-back and a striker. Plus, potentially a left-back if Aznou leaves. We've signed three midfielders. I just don't get it. 26 Posted 25/08/2026 at 17:33:00 Really these positions should have been filled much earlier in the window. 27 Posted 25/08/2026 at 18:59:03 It's a disgrace no right-back has been signed. Although Rohl has done a quality job there, to be fair. We need more. Not signing a striker and relying on a donkey like Beto and a fumbler like Barry is also unforgivable. 28 Posted 25/08/2026 at 19:05:23 If we end up spending over £20M to bring back Richarlison, that is going to feel quite underwhelming. 29 Posted 25/08/2026 at 19:19:38 Chelsea must be laughing like hell. 30 Posted 25/08/2026 at 19:20:23 Agree, Mike, I'd sooner be underwhelmed with Richarlison than pay that amount of money for Delap. If we are going to improve. we have definitely got to get rid of Beto and bring in another centre-forward, along with that right-back that our Angus has promised us! 31 Posted 25/08/2026 at 19:22:45 I'd say Forest blew us out of the water, £45M + £5M add-ons, we probably offered £15M, which is our figure for every signing this season. I will say he's definitely not worth it, 2 goals in 41 games and they make a £20M profit in one season. I'd take Jesus, but could we afford his wages? 32 Posted 25/08/2026 at 19:37:00 1. I don't agree we should get rid of Jake O'Brien. 2. I think Aznou should get more game time. 3. I don't want Grealish. 4. I didn't want Delap\. 5. I don't want Richarlison back. 6. I want to keep Ndiaye, but if he goes, he goes for no less than £80M. And that's only for starters!!! 33 Posted 25/08/2026 at 19:40:47 I want to see us make cup runs this season, and you can't do that with two strikers. Besides, Beto's purple patches can carry the club for a month, and that's of value. 34 Posted 25/08/2026 at 19:47:34 35 Posted 25/08/2026 at 19:47:51 36 Posted 25/08/2026 at 19:58:16 37 Posted 25/08/2026 at 20:02:22 We are crying out for some decent players to bolster the new additions. Just a couple more would be a major improvement. We aren't hamstrung by rules and regulations. How can it be so fucked up? Oh I know... It's Everton. 38 Posted 25/08/2026 at 20:08:49 The only silver lining is that it priced us out of the picture. 39 Posted 25/08/2026 at 20:26:24 40 Posted 25/08/2026 at 20:37:46 Not inconceivable that we’ll end up with a smaller squad than last year. 41 Posted 25/08/2026 at 20:50:51 42 Posted 25/08/2026 at 21:07:11 Only hindsight will tell us if that is £80m well spent. Certainly there is better value in Europe for half that cost. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. 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