Deal 80% Done: Everton Set to Seal Shock Summer Move After £25m Twist

Everton Eye Third Summer Signing as Transfer Dominoes Fall into Place

Everton are on the brink of completing their third signing of the summer, as the club continues to make moves in what is shaping up to be a transformative transfer window at Goodison Park.

Following the arrivals of Carlos Alcaraz on a permanent deal and Thierno Barry from Villarreal in a £27m move, the Blues have now turned their attention to strengthening the goalkeeping department — and potentially the right wing — ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Talks are understood to be progressing for Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers, with Everton poised to act after the Cherries agreed a £25m deal to bring in Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic as their new number one. With Kepa Arrizabalaga departing Stamford Bridge for Arsenal in a £5m switch, the way has been paved for Petrovic’s arrival on the south coast — leaving Travers’ future uncertain.

The Republic of Ireland international, who spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, is now expected to leave Bournemouth. Everton have emerged as a strong contender for his signature, with Travers seen as an ideal option to provide both cover and competition for first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who is yet to return to pre-season following England duty at Euro 2024.

Pickford remains the only senior goalkeeper on Everton’s books with Premier League experience, following the departures of Joao Virginia, Asmir Begovic, Zan-Luk Leban, and Billy Crellin — all of whom left after their contracts expired in June.

Harry Tyrer, who enjoyed a solid loan spell with Blackpool in League One, is the only remaining backup option with senior experience. But at just 23 and still developing, Everton manager David Moyes is keen to add proven depth to the squad in that area.

“There is a requirement to find a keeper with senior experience to support Pickford,” a source close to the club stated, highlighting the urgency behind the move.

Meanwhile, Everton are also targeting reinforcements out wide. With Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye both preferring to play off the left, and loanees Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom returning to their parent clubs, Moyes is without a natural right winger in his squad.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that Everton, alongside Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen, have made enquiries about PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko. The Dutch champions are reportedly willing to sell the 22-year-old Belgian international for around £17m.

While it remains to be seen whether Everton will step up their pursuit of Bakayoko, Moyes has made clear that further additions are in the pipeline.

Speaking after Barry’s signing, Moyes said: “We are delighted to have brought Thierno to the club. We see lots of potential and we are hoping for good things from him. We will give him plenty of time to settle in and we are looking forward to getting started working with him as soon as possible. I’m hoping to make more additions in the coming weeks.”

With the opening weekend of the Premier League season fast approaching — and a home clash with Leeds United on the horizon — Everton’s recruitment drive appears far from over.