Godwin ObajeEverton Set to Ramp Up Summer Activity as Moyes Targets Four Key Additions
As the early summer sun beats down on Merseyside’s blue half, Everton Football Club stands at the threshold of what promises to be a transformational transfer window. Under the guidance of seasoned manager David Moyes, the Toffees are preparing for a summer defined by tactical reinforcements and strategic recalibration. With new recruits already arriving and further business on the horizon, Everton supporters are right to feel a sense of optimism.
Moyes Returns – and So Does Momentum
David Moyes’s return to Goodison Park last season served as a rallying cry for a club in need of stability. His no-nonsense managerial style was quickly rewarded with a string of gritty performances, earning Everton’s faith and revitalising the dressing room. Moyes’s reputation for building resilient teams instills both confidence and respect.
This summer, Moyes is expected to address some of Everton’s most glaring weaknesses: right-back, right-wing, central midfield, and a striker to lead the line. With the summer transfer window now open, the Blues face a crucial period — one that could determine whether they secure a long-term foothold in the Premier League.
Carlos Alcaraz: From Loan to Permanent First-Team Fixture
Everton fans were quick to take Carlos Alcaraz to their hearts after his loan move from Flamengo in the winter. And the deal has now been made permanent. The club confirmed on 31 May that they have signed the Argentinian midfielder for an undisclosed fee — reported to potentially reach £13 million, contingent on add-ons.
Alcaraz, who previously plied his trade in the Premier League with Southampton, came into the Everton fold with eight Premier League appearances already to his name. During his short stint at Goodison, he made 16 appearances, netting twice and laying on three assists — contributions that persuaded Moyes and director of football Marcel Brands to make the deal permanent.
Speaking about his decision to stay, Alcaraz said:
“I was happy during my time in Brazil with Flamengo, but stuff happened that involved other people and not directly me. I know that the loan deal will end at the end of the season but I need to stay calm and perform at a good level. Then when it finishes I can see if I’m able to carry on here. I’d like to continue playing here for a long time.
“I wanted to come because I already knew the Premier League and it’s the best league in the game. The only challenge I wanted was to come and play for a big club like Everton.”
His words speak volumes. Everton have secured not just midfield depth, but also a player who’s hungry to prove himself on England’s grandest domestic stage.
Tactical Priorities: Moyes’s Four-Point Blueprint
Everton have been clear about where they require reinforcements ahead of the 2025–26 campaign. Let’s examine them in turn:
- Right-Back
Defensive solidity is a non-negotiable component of Moyes’s plan. A dependable right-back is seen as a priority — someone capable of providing defensive stability while offering width and support in attack. Recent seasons saw Everton rotate a handful of candidates in this role, with mixed success. The club now seeks a specialist to anchor that flank.
- Right Winger
Creativity down the right-hand side is another identified gap. Scoring opportunities dried up at times last season, and the addition of a pacey, incisive winger could unleash the full potential of the attacking unit. The blend of endurance and flair is what Everton require to trouble opposition backlines consistently.
- Central Midfielder
Though Alcaraz adds depth, Everton still need another midfielder — particularly someone endowed with physical presence and tactical awareness. Strengthening the heart of midfield is crucial, not just for breaking up play but also for maintaining tempo and composure under pressure.
- Striker
Perhaps the most talked-about need is that of a recognised goalscorer. Everton’s players shared the goalscoring burden last season, but Moyes and his coaching staff desire a reliable striker — someone capable of delivering a consistent return in front of goal and leading the line with authority.
If these four areas are effectively addressed, once-prioritised plans may come into play. A centre-back and full-back on the left flank are being monitored, but only once primary targets are either secured or ruled out. It’s a tightly managed model: only move forward if the right person is available.
Moyes in Focus: Steely Leadership at Everton’s Helm
The choice of Moyes as the talisman of Everton’s resurgence speaks to his reputation. Since returning in December, he’s displayed remarkable organisational skills and tactical nous. His refusal to compromise on discipline, coupled with an ability to galvanise players, has been evident in important fixtures.
Moyes’s experience in steering teams through transitional periods — evidenced in previous spells at Everton and West Ham — gives the club confidence. However, this summer presents a different challenge: achieving gradual but tangible improvement through targeted recruitment, not surgery.
Market Spotlights: Potential Targets Across Four Positions
While Everton’s hierarchy has kept most names private, pundits have speculated widely:
Right-Back: Backup options already at the club include Seamus Coleman and Niels Nkounkou. Football agents have hinted that Everton consulted on experienced defenders like Nathaniel Clyne and Jacob Murphy in recent weeks.
Right Wing: The global market offers plenty of youth and seasoned options: from Serie A’s pacey attackers to La Liga’s creative wingers. Everton’s recruitment team is said to be scouting both.
Midfield: Cases for physical enforcers like Liverpool’s Ben Doak or established Premier League operators like Jordan Henderson have both been floated — though the latter may be beyond the club’s budget.
Striker: Everton have reportedly held talks over both loan and permanent deals. Among names discussed are Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee and Championship standout Sam Surridge.
While some of these targets may be unrealistic, the club seems unafraid to consider all routes — including the loan market, where competitive packages can allow access to higher-calibre talent on favourable terms.
Financial Context: Stability Over Spectacle
Everton’s recent transfer activity shows caution under new financial regulations. Annual Profit and Sustainability Rules have forced increased financial discipline, and the club’s directors have undertaken a gradual restructure to trim wage spending.
This context explains why the Alcaraz deal was offset with performance-based add-ons; it’s an example of Everton’s ambition to buy smarter, not bigger. Ensuring flexibility remains key to pushing forward.
Supporting Cast: Loans and Academy Players
Apart from arrivals, Everton have several players returning from loan spells — including midfielders and forwards in search of breakthroughs. Reintegrating promising youngsters who have performed well in the Championship or abroad could also feature as part of Moyes’s bigger plan.
Fan Reaction: Cautious Optimism at Goodison
Everton’s fanbase has watched with interest as the transfer window opened. While Alcaraz’s permanent signing earned praise, the clamour for fresh reinforcements continues unabated. Supporters have taken to forums and social media, hoping for movement in the four aforementioned areas.
Local Everton pubs have echoed with talk of strategic buys — a solid right-back, a creator on the wing, a midfield battler, and a striker. And if Moyes delivers on these, optimism may give way to genuine belief.
Outlook: A Season in the Balance
As the Premier League landscape shifts under winds of financial constraint, Everton have a chance to reshape themselves as a mid-table mainstay. That’s at the heart of Moyes’s directive — not glamour transfers, but targeted solutions.
Alcaraz’s permanent acquisition is a strong opening move. Now, though, is the true test of recruitment strategy and execution. If the club hits its priorities, it may well emerge stronger.
Next stop? The right-back worth their weight, the winger bursting from the bench, the midfielder tipping games, and the striker finding the net regularly.
Conclusion
This summer has the potential to mark a turning point in Everton’s recent history. With a proven manager, a restructured recruitment policy, and a clear strategic framework, the Blues are laying groundwork — one signing at a time.
Everton supporters should prepare not for sweeping headlines and fierce bidding wars, but instead for a smart, disciplined approach to rebuilding. If Moyes and Marcel Brands can land four high‑impact signings, Everton could begin to rewrite the narrative — from survival to consolidation, and perhaps even beyond.
In a Premier League landscape defined by caution and calculation, Everton are staking their claim via prudent investment and footballing conviction. The transfer window ahead could be the campaign-defining chapter that sets the tone for their next era.
Godwin Obaje
