Everton

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Everton's move for Villarreal centre-forward Thierno Barry is their latest attempt to strengthen what has been a problem position since Romelu Lukaku's departure in 2017.

In the last 10 years, the Toffees have signed 16 strikers at a combined cost of almost £160m – with decidedly mixed results.

The good

Richarlison, who joined from Watford for an initial £35m in 2018, has arguably been the most successful striker recruited in the last decade. Though not always used as an out-and-out number nine, the Brazilian scored 10 or more league goals in three of his four seasons on Merseyside and was eventually sold for a healthy £20m profit to Tottenham in 2022.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, meanwhile, joined for a bargain £1.5m as a 19-year-old in 2016 and was a prolific scorer during Carlo Ancelotti's reign, earning England recognition. But he struggled with injuries and couldn't maintain that early promise, leaving when his contract expired this summer.

The bad

When Cenk Tosun joined for £27m in 2017, Sam Allardyce described him as "the best in Europe" for his price. But Everton changed manager four months later and the Turk failed to win the trust of Marco Silva, eventually returning to Besiktas after nine top-flight goals for the Merseysiders.

Moise Kean also arrived to great fanfare in 2019 following a breakout season at Juventus but netted just two Premier League goals, though the Toffees largely recouped his £25m fee when he returned to Italy.

Short-term moves for Salomon Rondon, Joshua King, Enner Valencia and Armando Broja didn't pay off, while Sandro Ramirez, signed on the cheap from Malaga, quickly became a figure of ridicule amongst supporters.

Perhaps surprisingly, the signing with the best minutes-per-goal ratio is Oumar Niasse, who arrived from Lokomotiv Moscow in February 2016 but was initially snubbed by Roberto Martinez and Ronald Koeman.

The Senegalese got a few more opportunities under Allardyce and bagged eight top-flight goals in 2017-18, despite starting just 10 games, before being released in 2020.

The ugly

The least popular recruit, by some distance, is Neal Maupay. The Frenchman scored on his second appearance after moving from Brighton for an initial £12m but that proved his only goal in 29 Premier League appearances and fans turned on him.

He infamously posted a clip of the prison escape film 'The Shawshank Redemption' after joining Marseille on loan last August. A few months later, whilst technically still under contract with the Blues, he said on social media "whenever I'm having a bad day I just check the Everton score and smile".

He departed permanently this summer and is unlikely to be welcome at the Hill Dickinson Stadium anytime soon.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton fan Matt Dillon says Michael Keane's new one-year contract extension will provide "a bit of continuity" in a summer of potential change for the Toffees.

The 32-year-old's new contract was confirmed last week and he became the third defender to agree fresh terms this summer after Seamus Coleman and Jarrad Branthwaite.

"I just think it's sensible," Dillon told BBC Radio Merseyside. "You look at the areas of the squad that we really need to strengthen and I don't think centre back was one of the main parts.

"In terms of trying to get a fourth choice centre half in - I think its going to be a hard sell for any club, let alone a team not in Europe at the moment. I just think its really sensible, we can hopefully use that money for other parts of the team.

"You look over his time, he's been here a long while. I'm not saying there hasn't been a few clangers along the way but he's always been good for a goal and in terms of moving forward, and the amount of players that have already left this summer, it's sensible to get him back in on a one-year deal and move forward."

Keane made 14 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees last season, with David Moyes saying: "His performances at Fulham and Newcastle at the end of last season showed the value he can bring to our squad. We will need his experience and professionalism as we go forward."

Dillon added: "Across his Everton career, everyone who has seen Michael Keane knows he's been a confidence player.

"He's the type where if you get an arm round him you hopefully get more out of him. He's one of the most experienced people in the squad so you hope you won't see as many mistakes going forward. It's a bit of continuity."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Everton are keeping a close eye on 28-year-old Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who is believed to have a £9m relegation release clause in his Leicester City contract. The Toffees face competition from Manchester United, Fulham and Crystal Palace. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Everton's Idrissa Gana Gueye says he feels "more driven than ever to keep pushing" after signing a new one-year contract until the end of June 2026, with an option for a further year.

Gueye has made 211 for the Toffees across two spells and won the club's player of the season and players' player of the season awards last season.

"Everyone knows what Everton means to me and my family," said the 35-year-old midfielder. "After six seasons here, this club is more than just a place I play, it's part of who I am.

"I'm proud to start my seventh year as a Blue. Last season was a strong one for me personally, and I feel ready, fresh, and more driven than ever to keep pushing.

"With our beautiful new stadium and a real sense of momentum throughout the club, this season feels like a turning point, the chance to build something big and lasting."

Gueye's extension ends speculation over his future and means Senegal's record appearance maker will bring continuity as Everton begin the first campaign in their new stadium.

"His experience and his knowledge of the club is going to be so important going forward with the introduction of lots of new players and the new stadium," added Toffees boss David Moyes.

"Idrissa will play a big part in integrating everybody."

Everton's 35-year-old Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gueye has signed a new contract running until 2027. (Fabrizio Romano), external

The Blues have also joined the race for Millwall forward Mihailo Ivanovic, who is also wanted by Wolves and Serie A side Parma. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Keane has signed a new one-year contract with Everton - the third defender to agree fresh terms in the past week after Seamus Coleman and Jarrad Branthwaite.

The 32-year-old has made 230 appearances for the Blues, scoring 16 goals, after joining from Burnley in 2017.

"The manager wants a competitive squad and I still feel I have a lot to give," said Keane.

"We've been through a difficult few years but it's an exciting time ahead for us as players and our brilliant fans.

"We've got a world-class new stadium to play in, and our form under the manager last season shows there's a lot of reasons to be positive. I'm looking forward to being part of it."

Manager David Moyes added: "His performances at Fulham and Newcastle at the end of last season showed the value he can bring to our squad. We will need his experience and professionalism as we go forward."

Daniel Austin
BBC Sport journalist

Everton legend Ian Snodin laid a wreath in memory of Diogo Jota on behalf of the club, which offers condolences and says that the "city is united in grief".

Meanwhile, current Everton forwards Beto and Yousseff Chermiti wrote heartfelt personal messages to their compatriot.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton fan and broadcaster David Downie, speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside about the contract extension signed by Toffees full-back Seamus Coleman: "If he leads Everton out at Leeds or against Brighton, Everton have serious issues at that position - a crucial position for us really in the way we play and want to whip balls in.

"With Seamus getting a year, the word sentiment is something Everton do need to move away from. I can understand it because Everton have been so poor for the majority of my lifetime.

"To give him a year's contract is not for me - unless it's in a player-coach capacity.

"He barely played last season. I'd be astonished and really concerned if he hits double figures in regards how many Premier League games he gets on."

Listen to debate on Coleman and Calvert-Lewin

Image source, Getty Images

Former Everton defender Alan Stubbs believes extending Jarrad Branthwaite's contract is the "biggest signing" the club will make in this transfer window.

Branthwaite has recently agreed a new five-year deal and Stubbs told BBC Radio Merseyside: "This for me, is Everton's biggest signing that they could have made in this transfer window.

"Realistically, Jarrad Branthwaite's market value right now is up there potentially with a British transfer record for a centre back. Let's not beat around the bush here.

"He's £75m plus. He's left-footed, he's 6ft 4in, he's strong and athletic, and he's comfortable on the ball.

"Yes, he has other little boxes to tick, of course he has, not many people don't, and that will come through experience, but right now in the two years that he has played in Everton's first team, he has gone from strength to strength.

"This for me, is Everton's biggest signing that they could have made in this transfer window."

The one-cap England international joined the Toffees from Carlisle United in January 2020 and has made 75 Premier League appearances, playing 86 times for the Blues in all competitions.

Stubbs also believes that Everton's "number one priorities" should be signing a winger who can "put balls into the box" and also a another central midfielder.

Everton are also looking at signing an attacking player to bolster a side who only scored 42 goals last season, with Villarreal's Thierno Barry close to agreeing a deal.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds here.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton fan and broadcaster David Downie spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside about Dominic Calvert-Lewin's departure: "Right now we can only say it is someone we wanted to keep and that's based on the fact we have no-one else there at the moment. I hope that'll change but you never quite know with Everton.

His record at Everton is almost identical to Duncan Ferguson in terms of appearances and goals. If any listener was asked who was the better they won't say Calvert-Lewin will they?

With Calvert-Lewin right now there's a lot of fuss that goes in and around what his career was like at Everton. He was brilliant under Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez as well. Injuries hit. This kind of thing happens quite regularly to strikers who you think will be fantastic.

I'd like to be a fly on the wall to understand if he wanted to stay or not. I'm sure his representatives will have had conversations with other clubs. I don't think it'll be too long before he's at another club.

It feels like a tailor made signing for a club like Leeds, a promoted side. He's a regular Premier League striker, he knows the league. I think he'd be quite a decent fit for them.

I do have sympathy with him. It's easy to get on a bandwagon to criticise him. It's a shame to let him go. He's in that category of what could have been. He could have been a regular international striker, Everton at the very least could have sold him for a big amount of money. He had a record of one goal in two when he was at his best."

Listen to more here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts on BBC Sport's Phil McNulty's ranked list of Everton's hardest players.

Here are some of your comments:

Michael: Your choice is very good but Jimmy Gabriel could hold his own among them.

John: Can't really argue with the list as there is an element of subjectivity, but Roger Kenyon, Mike Bernard, Mike Pejic, Mike Lyons, Andy Gray and Graeme Sharp all have claims to be on the list. Johnny Morrissey is almost certainly top though, just above Duncan Ferguson.

Richard: I first saw Johnny Morrissey play for England schoolboys at Goodison Park, talking about hard men , what about Tony Kay?

Dave: Bruce Rioch was pretty tasty - I remember Graeme Souness, Boro's hard man, being stretchered off after a clash with Brucie!

Michael: Absolutely brilliant series - I always loved Jimmy Gabriel. All fabulous legends, cheers Phil.

Colin: Nobody took liberties with Johnny Morrissey. Rumour has it that he never lost a five-a-side match in training because the rest were too scared to go near him. I suspect he wouldn't still be on the pitch at half-time if he was playing now. Nevertheless, he was a wonderful player especially in the 1969-70 Championship winning team.

Paul: 'Psycho' Pat van den Hauwe must be up there. If I remember rightly Kendall said "we've signed him because he plays a hard game within the rules". Then he got a red and three yellow cards in his first five games!

David: What about Sandy Brown? He was the tastiest of them all. He would challenge anybody. I once saw him offer the ball to a Liverpool fan on the Kop to come and take it off him. Brilliant.

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Throughout Wednesday, BBC Sport's Phil McNulty has ranked the hardest men to play for Everton.

And in top spot...

Johnny Morrissey

Morrissey was signed by Everton from Liverpool in 1962 for £10,000. It was a deal done without Reds manager Bill Shankly's knowledge, and he was so enraged that he vowed never to let such an incident happen again.

And Shankly's admiration for this tough, but very talented, winger was confirmed in a decade at Everton in which he played in two title-winning sides.

He figured in 1962-63, but more memorably and prominently when he stood out - even among the greats of Alan Ball, Colin Harvey and Howard Kendall - in the 1969-70 triumph, his crosses a rich source of supply for the young Joe Royle.

Morrissey was beloved among Everton fans, who worshipped both his great ability and his attitude. He still cut a sprightly figure at Goodison Park, at 85, when he was part of the parade of former players at the final men's game at the stadium in May.

In the wider game, Morrissey had a reputation as a hard-as-nails character who was not to be trifled with at any time - a winger happy to give any full-back taking liberties a taste of their own medicine.

Liverpool's famous 'Anfield Iron' Tommy Smith admitted even he was wary of Morrissey, while former colleague Kendall said Ball's advice to him on his first day at Everton was: "Never take the ball off Johnny Morrissey in training."

Leeds United were the template for the hard teams of that era, but Morrissey used to send a shudder through that battle-hardened Elland Road dressing room, his running battles with Jack Charlton the stuff of legend.

John Giles, no shrinking violet in the physical exchanges, wrote in his book how he could look after himself "like Peter Osgood did, like Mike Summerbee did, like Johnny Morrissey did - well OK, maybe not quite like Johnny".

Scroll down to 14:53 BST for Duncan Ferguson and Peter Reid in second and third, and 08:33 for Kevin Ratcliffe and Pat van den Hauwe in fourth and fifth.

Now it's over to you. Do you agree with Phil's selections?

Tell us who should be on the list

Image source, Getty Images

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Every club has had a hard man - often adored by fans - but who is the ultimate tough operator in Everton's history? Chief football writer Phil McNulty is going through his top five on this page on Wednesday.

In second spot (scroll down to the post below for third place, and to 08:33 BST for fourth and fifth)...

Duncan Ferguson

'Big Dunc', the idol of Goodison Park, was the anti-hero Everton fans needed and loved when he arrived, initially on loan, from Rangers in late 1994.

Ferguson had the ability to strike terror into defenders, with then manager Joe Royle recalling his first match in charge being illuminated by the Scot, who was fired up after a foul by Liverpool's Neil Ruddock. He subsequently terrorised Liverpool's defence, something he made a habit of throughout his Everton career, by scoring his first goal for the club in a 2-0 win.

No-one took any liberties with Ferguson, with even some of the game's hardest figures making it their business not to cross him. Paul Ince, then Liverpool captain, was virtually picked up and thrown to the floor in another Merseyside derby at Anfield, "The Guv'nor" responding by gently ruffling Ferguson's hair in a friendly manner.

Ferguson's approach often edged into ill-discipline, with eight red cards in the Premier League - but there was also great ability to go with the fierce physical presence.

And, of course, Ferguson's reputation spread off the field. He served time in the notorious Barlinnie jail, and has told the story of how two burglars made the error of breaking into his house in the early hours while he was there with his family – and how they came off worse.

Who will top McNulty's list? Come back later on Wednesday to find out and have your say.

Image source, Getty Images

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Dave Watson? Thomas Gravesen? Martin Keown? Who is the ultimate Everton hard man? Phil McNulty has been revealing his top five on Wednesday.

In third spot...

Peter Reid

Peter Reid was Everton's great midfield general, the master of dictating tempo and the engine of the great mid-80s team in partnership with the vastly underrated (although not by anyone at Goodison Park) Paul Bracewell.

Reid was courage personified, not simply in the manner in which he battled back from career-threatening injuries, but in his fearless approach on the pitch. No battle was too intense for the hugely popular Huyton-born Reid, who revelled in an era when no quarter was given in midfield.

He would stand toe-to-toe with Graeme Souness at Liverpool, Norman Whiteside and Bryan Robson at Manchester United, who all had total respect for Reid, both as an opponent and a personality. There is no doubt at times he took on the role of Everton's enforcer.

A boyhood Red, Reid joyously tells the tale of how he was being verbally abused by a Liverpool fan at Anfield after fouling John Barnes - only to find the supporter in question was his Uncle Albert.

Reid was so much more than a hard man, as his success with Everton and England proves, but he also had that cutting edge required in what was hostile midfield territory in the 1980s.

And come back in a few hours to see who McNulty has at the top of his list, plus the chance to have your say on who should have made the cut.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts on Jarrad Branthwaite signing a five-year contract extension at Everton.

It is fair to say you are delighted...

Stephen: Hopefully, this shows we don't have to sell our best players to survive financially. This is a massive statement of intent. He is a key player that we need to keep and continue to develop. Future captain!

Tom: I'm very glad we kept a talent like Jarrad - he is one of my favourite players in this Everton team and brings confidence to the defence. He drives the team on and on, and I think he should be captain when Seamus Coleman leaves.

Spider: It's a massive signing. He's the best English centre-half in the country, and he's committed his future to Everton. A big relief!

Dennis: This is absolutely fantastic news. It shows every other club you can no longer come and take our best players.

Mike: I doubt any new signings this summer will be as important as Branthwaite signing a new contract. He is the future. After years of gloom, there is finally real optimism for the new season - not just hoping for the best and expecting the worst. There'll probably be a buyout clause, but I'd imagine it's a significant sum.

Brendan: Best bit of transfer news we'll have this summer. A top class Rolls-Royce of a central defender - and one in the eye for Tottenham, who (laughably) seriously considered putting a bid in for him!

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Everton will have to do plenty of deals in the remainder of the transfer window with so many players leaving at the end of their contracts and the squad in urgent need of improvement.

Jarrad Branthwaite's decision to sign a new long-term deal will, however, rank alongside any business as the most significant of the summer.

The 23-year-old central defender has been outstanding in the last two seasons and the prospect of Branthwaite leaving was a hot topic of discussion among Everton fans.

The fact that he has agreed to stay is a major statement of intent by the club and also a reflection on the ambition of new owners, The Friedkin Group, who want to demonstrate this is a new era of ambition for Everton as they prepare to move into their new state-of-the-art stadium next season.

Image source, Getty Images

Jarrad Branthwaite says it was "quite an easy decision" to commit to a new five-year contract at Everton and that the club's ambition was a "huge" factor.

The 23-year-old defender - who joined from Carlisle United in 2020 - has put pen to paper on an agreement that ties him to the club until 2030.

"I'm over the moon," he told the club website.

"It's been something we've been talking about since the end of the season and to get it signed now is something I'm really excited about.

"The trust the club's put in me and how many games I've played over the past two seasons has made it quite an easy decision for me to stay and to keep progressing.

"I feel loved by the players – we've got a good group here – and the fans. Over the past few years, I've seen the impact the fans have on us as a team and how much it means to them.

"And, obviously, with the new stadium we've got here, the new ownership and the new manager, it's an exciting project and something I want to be part of."

• Tell us how you feel about Branthwaite's deal here

Branthwaite played 32 times for the Toffees last season in a campaign when the return of David Moyes as manager led to an upturn in form.

Moyes has backed Branthwaite to "have a huge role to play in an exciting new era".

Branthwaite continued: "I've been at Everton for five and a half years now and I've seen the change the club's had over the past six months.

"The ambition was a huge thing.

"The way the manager wants us to go as a team, what he wants us to do next season and where he wants us to challenge has had a big impact on the decision. You saw towards the end of last season as a team what we can do."

• Get news alerts about your Premier League club

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Throughout Wednesday, the BBC's chief football writer Phil McNulty will rank the hardest men to play for Everton. Drop in through the day to see who he selects and you'll also get the chance to state who should be on the list later.

In fourth spot (scroll down the page for who is in fifth)...

Kevin Ratcliffe

Some may be surprised by this choice, perhaps thinking Pat van den Hauwe (see below) might be the more obvious selection from Howard Kendall's great 1980s team, but Everton's most successful captain, who led them to two titles, the FA Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup, was the man you would want alongside you in the heat of any battle.

Ratcliffe was an outstanding central defender, whose searing pace was essential to Everton's defensive set-up, as well as having every asset required in the position with his ability to read the game and sense danger.

He was also tough as teak and a natural leader. He was willing to let strikers know he was there, as his great friend and Wales team-mate Ian Rush often testifies.

Ratcliffe was a defender who had everything, including a ruthless streak that made him a winner and captain of a side full of strong characters, such as Peter Reid, Andy Gray and Neville Southall.

In a team with plenty of hard men, Ratcliffe - a defender of the highest class – has claims to be the hardest.

Come back later on Wednesday to see more of McNulty's selections.

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Who is the hardest man to have worn the famous Everton blue? The BBC's chief football writer Phil McNulty is running through his top five and you'll get the chance to submit your own later on Wednesday.

In fifth spot...

Pat van den Hauwe

Van den Hauwe arrived at Everton for a bargain £100,000 in September 1984 as part of the mass clear-out of the Birmingham City "bad boys" dressing room by then manager Ron Saunders.

The steely glare and brutal approach soon won over Everton fans, who christened the defender "Psycho Pat" before Stuart Pearce was given a similar nickname at Nottingham Forest.

He was a fine defender who won two titles and the European Cup Winners' Cup at Everton, mainly at full-back but also as a top-class central defender.

Van den Hauwe adopted a silent approach with the media, never giving interviews and meeting any rare - and it must be said ill-judged - request for a chat with a look that made it clear he would not be co-operating.

He may still be the only player to score a goal that won the title, in Everton's 1-0 win at Norwich City to clinch the league in 1986-87, and not be approached by the media for his thoughts on his heroics as everyone knew they would not be forthcoming.

Van den Hauwe's approach, and indeed his lifestyle which he later chronicled in his autobiography, became legendary among Everton supporters. He later went on to win the FA Cup at Tottenham Hotspur.