Big Move Loading: Everton Free Up Iconic Number for Friedkin-Linked Star

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Everton Squad Number Shuffle Sparks Transfer Speculation as Celik Link Grows

Everton’s summer revamp under new ownership is beginning to take shape, with changes both on and off the pitch already stirring interest on Merseyside. One subtle but telling sign of transition comes in the form of squad number switches — and one in particular may hint at a move in the works.

Ukraine international Vitaliy Mykolenko, a key figure in Everton’s defence, has seemingly changed his squad number ahead of the new season. The left-back, who has worn the number 19 shirt since joining the club, has been spotted at Everton’s pre-season training camp in Scotland wearing the number 16. That number was vacated by Abdoulaye Doucouré, who departed the club as a free agent this summer.

The significance of such a change might appear minor at first glance, but it has not gone unnoticed, especially with Everton’s rumoured interest in AS Roma full-back Zeki Çelik. The Turkish international currently wears the number 19 in Rome – the very shirt Mykolenko has just relinquished.

Celik, described as “excellent” in previous assessments of his performances in Serie A, is being closely monitored by Everton as manager David Moyes looks to bolster his options at full-back. The left side, in particular, remains light on depth – something Moyes is keen to address in the weeks ahead.

Everton’s transfer strategy this summer is expected to be aggressive but calculated. With the Friedkin Group now at the helm – also the owners of AS Roma – there is renewed financial stability and a clear desire to reshape the club. The Friedkins’ ownership provides a unique connection that could facilitate smoother negotiations with Roma should Everton move forward with their interest in Çelik.

Though squad number changes are not always definitive indicators of imminent signings, they can reveal club intentions, especially when aligned with credible transfer links. The number 19 shirt becoming available now gives Everton a clear and familiar number to offer Çelik, should talks advance.

Meanwhile, it’s not just Çelik who could benefit from the number reshuffle. The number 19 shirt also carries appeal for attacking players – often seen as a creative or second-striker number, and sometimes even viewed as a symbolic alternative to the iconic number 10 shirt (1+9). With Everton reportedly eyeing additional reinforcements across the pitch, the vacancy could attract other targets as well.

Adding intrigue to the situation, Thierno Barry’s number is also vacant ahead of his expected arrival, indicating that further signings may already be in motion behind the scenes.

The Toffees’ summer rebuild is only just beginning, but subtle signs like these suggest that things are moving quickly at Finch Farm. Mykolenko’s shirt number change may seem like a small detail — but in the fluid world of football transfers, such signals often precede bigger headlines.

Everton fans should stay tuned. As Moyes reshapes his squad and the Friedkins inject ambition and structure into the club’s future, these early changes may prove to be the first steps of a major transformation.