“Done Deal: Everton Agree Shock Loan Exit for ‘Top Talent’ Defender Despite Defensive Crisis – St Mirren Move 80% Done”

Everton Ready to Sanction Loan Exit for Young Defender Elijah Campbell Amid Defensive Crisis

Everton are set to send promising young defender Elijah Campbell out on loan again this summer, with Scottish Premiership side St Mirren leading the race for his signature, according to journalist Alan Nixon via Patreon (20 July).

The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan with Ross County, is expected to continue his development north of the border. Campbell made 31 appearances for the Staggies during the 2024/25 campaign, standing out despite the club’s eventual relegation to the Scottish Championship.

Highly rated within the Everton setup, Campbell has already been capped eight times by England at Under-20 level and recently signed a new two-year deal with the Toffees, keeping him at Goodison Park until June 2027. The club confirmed the new contract on 1 July, posting:
“Defender Eli Campbell has signed a new two-year contract to keep him at Everton until June 2027. ✍️
Congrats, Eli! 🔵🔽”
— Everton Academy (@EvertonAcademy)

Despite his potential, manager David Moyes is reportedly unconvinced that the Manchester-born centre-half is ready for Premier League football just yet, even as Everton face a significant shortage of senior defenders.

With just three first-team centre-backs currently available, Moyes is under increasing pressure to reinforce his squad ahead of the new season. The lack of depth was exposed during pre-season, where Everton could only manage a draw against Accrington Stanley before falling to a 1-0 defeat against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, 19 July.

The Toffees’ summer business has been modest so far, with goalkeeper Mark Travers and striker Thierno Barry the only notable additions. However, the club has also lost several experienced players, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucouré, and Ashley Young, all of whom departed upon the expiry of their contracts at the end of last season.

The exodus has left Everton alarmingly short across multiple positions. One of the club’s current midfield options is 18-year-old Harrison Armstrong, who spent last season on loan at Derby County and is still untested at top-flight level.

Frustration among the Goodison Park faithful is growing, with many supporters voicing concerns over the club’s lack of urgency in the transfer market, particularly following the recent change in ownership.

When the Friedkin Group completed their takeover of Everton in 2024, optimism was high that years of stagnation and relegation struggles would finally be behind them. However, with pre-season already underway and the Premier League opener fast approaching, there are fears the club could once again find themselves fighting for survival if reinforcements are not brought in swiftly.

Depth and quality remain major concerns for Moyes, and while the loan of Campbell may benefit his long-term development, fans may be alarmed to see talent leaving at a time when defensive resources are so limited.

Everton now face a crucial few weeks in the market — failure to act could see the club plunged back into familiar territory, with another season of struggle looming on the horizon.