Everton

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport

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David Moyes has been vocal about his need for fresh faces this summer and the addition of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall would add much needed depth and quality to Everton's midfield.

The 26-year-old was an ever present for Chelsea in their successful Europa Conference League campaign, scoring four times in 13 appearances, but ultimately struggled to force his way into the Premier League side ahead of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.

He made two top-flight starts for the Blues and his total of 13 league appearances amounted to just 256 minutes of playing time.

But it will be Dewsbury-Hall's returns during Leicester's 2023-24 promotion season that will be of particular interest to Moyes as he seeks to replace the important attacking contributions of Abdoulaye Doucoure from central areas.

The box-to-box midfielder notched 12 goals and 14 assists for the Foxes as they won the division and that tally has only been bettered three times in the last 10 Championship seasons.

We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so, as we gear up for the new season, we asked you to share why you fell in love with Everton and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

Here are some of your submissions:

Steve: I lived about 300 yards from Anfield but on Saturday, 28 April 1962 I crossed the park to go to Goodison for the first time with my dad. Everton 8-3 Cardiff City. The atmosphere, the players, I was hooked.

Alex Young, Roy Vernon and Derek Temple were fabulous forwards and the steel of Billy Bingham, Brian Harris and Jimmy Gabriel in midfield. Finally, Gordon West in goal. I said to my dad that they were good enough to win the league and next season they did! I've been an Evertonian since that day.

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Southampton's exciting talent Tyler Dibling is one of those David Moyes expects Everton to land this week. Dibling clearly has Premier League experience and his arrival would be a positive, yet, at 19, he is also one for the future.

It was impossible not to see Moyes in animated conversation with Tomas Soucek, someone he knows so well from his time at West Ham, at Chicago's Soldier Field last Wednesday, and think that is exactly the kind of player Everton need; solid, experienced, dependable.

Soucek is not a target but Moyes will be on the lookout for a player with similar attributes to the Czech Republic skipper, who he signed permanently for West Ham in 2020 for £19.1m.

Moyes believes Jarrad Branthwaite might be fit enough to join the main group for training this week after the 23-year-old missed the US trip with a minor niggle.

Having Branthwaite and James Tarkowski back in defence will make Everton more solid. But Moyes knows it is not enough, which is why all the talk of Jack Grealish heading to the club might be premature.

Grealish would undoubtedly be an exciting addition, albeit with significant caveats around his form - he has not been the same player since Manchester City's 2023 Treble season and Moyes is not one to easily dismiss Pep Guardiola's assessment of the 29-year-old - and cost, even of a loan.

However, if it is to happen, it will be much later in the window. Everton have far more fundamental issues to address just now.

It wasn't supposed to be like this.

Read more from Simon on Everton here

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Everton boss David Moyes was happier with the way his team performed against Manchester United in the final match of the Premier League Summer Series in the United States.

The friendly, which took place overnight in Atlanta, finished 2-2 and saw James Tarkowski get some valuable minutes under his belt as he continues his return from his hamstring injury.

"We had a team which was more equipped to have a chance of being more competitive," said Moyes. "We were nowhere near in the first or the second game as we didn't have enough players fit enough, but we're just starting to get one or two back.

"In the first game we were five players out of position trying to find a team. But I thought it was better [against Manchester United], I thought we played much better.

"We've picked up, but not enough, and I would have hoped that we'd be much further down the line than we've been.

"I think there will be deals next week. I think we're getting much closer, but I've got to say that I felt that four or five weeks ago as well. But obviously we're getting near the tickly bits and we've got to get some things done.

"We know that we have to make several additions and more. Even for the numbers, we might even have people in the squad who we'd like to put them out on loan or do other things with them. So we're needing generally to add to the squad and we need to get some of the main players in quickly."

Following the conclusion of the Premier League Summer Series, the Toffees will return home and turn their attention to hosting Roma at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time.

"That'll be a great occasion for us all," added Moyes. "For us all to go down there and see what it looks like, and hopefully a good day of weather and fill the place out.

"I would love to be able to have a couple of players which I could tell the crowd 'this is the start'.

"But if not, the big sign is that we should have Jarrad [Brainthwaite] back in training when we return on Wednesday - with a bit of luck."

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Everton manager David Moyes - speaking to media before Sunday's game against Manchester United - brought up the imminent move into the club's magnificent new stadium: "We see ourselves coming out of a bad situation. The Everton fans want to believe there is something better ahead of us. But you do get little teething problems, we have a new stadium and new owners. But I am really positive about the opportunity we have. The blue side of Liverpool has been waiting a long time to move. We will pack it out every week. My job is to give the supporters a team they enjoy coming to watch."

Moyes on recruitment: "Not going to shout out names because there have been that many, I wouldn't know where to start. We are trying to improve and we need to have a stronger squad but I am really confident we will have quite a few new players in. I am really positive we will have quite a few new players before the window shuts."

Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

It seems a touch ironic that in seeking to address their goalscoring difficulties, Everton have targeted an attacker from one of the only two teams to score fewer than them last season.

On the face of it, Tyler Dibling and his two Premier League goals for Southampton will not really move the dial for David Moyes – and at a cost of £27m+ to boot.

Now, in the post below BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore explains what the talented 19-year-old has to offer, and it is only a few months removed from figures of more than £100m being quoted for his services.

So what do the numbers say about his potential?

Last season, he scored two goals from nine shots on target, notching every 937 minutes. That is a long way behind Beto's 191 minutes per goal or even the 537 minutes managed by the much-maligned Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Dibling caught the eye with his close control last season, but after a hot start he faded in the malaise of Southampton's season, and a dribbling success rate of 47% was middle of the road for the two squads.

For instance, Illiman Ndiaye offered 48.5% and Dwight McNeil 53%. Dibling's shooting accuracy was below his potential future team-mates too.

However, while the numbers do not suggest a huge improvement, Everton would be buying great potential, and filling a significant hole in their squad.

The touch map below shows Dibling clung mainly to the right side of Southampton's attack, tending to cut in on his left foot to make things happen. That was the position taken up by Jack Harrison in his 34 appearances last year and he has now returned to Leeds.

Image source, Opta

It would be highly unfair to criticise a 19-year-old trying to find his feet in his first season, playing for one of the worst teams in Premier League history.

After all, he caught the eye of some of the division's highest-performing clubs last season – and Moyes has polished up plenty of gems before.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Everton's bid for Southampton winger Tyler Dibling is perhaps part of an admission that it will be difficult to sign Malick Fofana from Lyon.

Fofana has not completely ruled out a move to the Toffees but after reports that talks were at an "advanced" stage, there is a clear reluctance from the Belgium international to move to Merseyside.

European powerhouses like Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool have expressed an interest, which has led to the 20-year-old to sit tight and stall on any move to Everton.

Adam Blackmore
BBC Radio Solent sports editor

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Tyler Dibling gets rave reviews when I speak to senior players and former players about him. They see a young English talent who has great potential and huge natural ability.

Dibling has great balance, poise, power and strength for his age. The ball sticks to his feet when he is dribbling and he can win free-kicks by sucking defenders in only to shift the ball away from them in a Jack Grealish style.

Last season was a steep learning curve for him. It was a tough campaign for a teenager to deal with. He was brilliant at times but as the season faded for Southampton, it also faded for Dibling.

His niggling injuries impacted him as well as the vagaries of trying to play at the highest level week in week out, which few 18-year-olds can do.

He is a quiet and thoughtful teenager, who doesn't look for the centre stage, but his talent is good enough to demand it at some point in the future, if he keeps growing as he has.

I've said all summer that Southampton should be trying to get £40-50m for him, so we will see what the club accept at the end of the day, if he wants to go to Everton of course.

He went to Chelsea as a youngster but didn't like it and came back to Saints, so that in itself says a lot about what is important to him.

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Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

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Everton failed with a £27m bid for 19-year-old Southampton winger Tyler Dibling yesterday – a microcosm of an underwhelming transfer window where boss David Moyes has vented his frustration at the club's inability to get deals over the line.

The Blues have signed four players so far, including teenage full-back Adam Aznou from Bayern Munich on Tuesday, but they are yet to address a lack of creativity and goals in their current squad - and have scored just twice from open play in five pre-season matches so far.

Everton may yet return with another bid for Dibling and have been linked with Manchester City's Jack Grealish – targets that show they are in dire need of more attacking threat.

Only relegated Leicester City and Southampton scored fewer Premier League goals from open play than Everton's 25 in 2024-25, while the Toffees also ranked 17th for expected goals from open play – indicating very few chances were even being created.

Everton will wait until the final weeks of the transfer window to make a loan offer for Juventus and Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 27. (GiveMesport), external

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

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On Monday, we asked you to tell us why you fell in love with Everton and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

You have already been getting in touch with your photos and stories and here is just a taste from Jeff:

This picture is of last season's away match at Ipswich. Together with two mates (in the middle and on the right). What makes it so special is that we have a season ticket and we visit away matches.....while we live in the Netherlands!

Why do I love Everton so much? That is a good question.

We have not won silverware since 1995 - the club's management has been terrible and amateurish for years and frankly I cannot stand a lot of our current players.

But silverware, the board and the current players do not make the club. The fans do.

As do the true Blues from the past. From Dixie Dean to Colin Harvey. From Alan Ball to Peter Reid. From Andy Gray to Big Dunc. And so many more. Everton is in my blood. In good times and bad times. Up the Toffees!

So join the conversation and send your best photos about why you love Everton.

Your first visit to the stadium? A special kit? An amazing away trip?

Send us your pictures and stories

Giulia Bould
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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There is an uneasy sense of panic already starting to spread across Everton fans.

Many stayed up until the small hours in the UK to watch their side take on West Ham in the second round of the Premier League Summer Series but now they face not only being shattered in work, but also the fear this side is not equipped for the new season.

It appears David Moyes agrees. He used his press conference after the 2-1 defeat to send a clear message to the owners. After all, the manager has already admitted this is the biggest rebuild of a squad he's had in his career.

"I've never had one of these times," said Moyes. "In the past, I have had to sign a lot of players, but I've never had to do so many in one window."

Everton have had 12 players through the exit door and, with under three weeks to go until the first Premier League game at Leeds United, they are light in almost all positions on the pitch.

Moyes and the recruitment team have been in for targets but a lack of European football to offer is proving problematic. That is not to mention a PSR hangover from the previous ownership that means while the Toffees are within the regulations, they do not have much room to throw about huge sums of money.

A clearly concerned Moyes added: "We're just beginning to think, my goodness, we're just not getting enough over the line."

That quote alone is likely to do little to calm supporters' fears.

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Everton's latest recruit Adam Aznou won't be someone to "sit silent" next season.

That's the view of Moroccan football expert Amine El-Amri, who believes the youngster is a "signing for the future".

The 19-year-old left-back has joined from Bayern Munich for an undisclosed fee, having spent most of last season with the Bayern reserves and later on loan to La Liga's second tier side Real Valladolid.

"Adam is a very promising prospect," El-Amri said. "He grew up near Barcelona so he had his classes in La Masia [Barcelona's youth academy] which gives him a quality stamp if we can say that.

"In 2021 he joined Bayern Munich and let me tell you, in Barcelona, people were fuming that this kind of not-yet-wonderkid but a very good prospect, quit Barcelona and joined Bayern. One of their competitors.

"I think it's more of a signing for the future. I think David Moyes is somebody who does a lot of projection. I think he's got the mindset and also a very good relationship with young players. Aznou is a character, and not someone who will sit silent.

"Inside Everton it would be up to him to up his game, to better himself to listen to Moyes because he is such a good coach and manager. It's up to Adam to adapt himself very fast."

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David Moyes would prefer to have "everyone healthy" than all his transfer business sorted in pre-season, believes former Everton defender Phil Jagielka.

The Toffees have yet to win a game during their preparations for the new campaign and, while battling injuries and a thin squad, Moyes has expressed the need for more signings.

However, Jagielka disagrees that winning every game and having all new players in place for pre-season is the most important thing for a new campaign.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, he said: "You want some form of momentum if you can. You want your goalscorers scoring goals, you want your defenders and goalkeepers keeping clean sheets.

"David Moyes has been very honest with what he has got as a squad.

"But if you offered Moyes a bad pre-season as far as results go but as soon as the season starts he has the minutes in the legs he wants and everyone is healthy, perhaps with a few more signings, then that is the key aspect.

"If I was going to be greedy, I would like five more players and us winning 3-0 every game - but I know that is not a massive necessity to pre-season.

"The pool is so competitive. Everyone wants similar players for similar money and similar wages.

"I would rather we take our time and be careful. Don't make too many mistakes and we can have this conversation in six months' time, saying how well Moyes did in taking his time and picking the players he wanted."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Heavy rain swept across one end of Soldier Field to the other during the Premier League Summer Series games in Chicago on Wednesday night.

There is no cover at the 61,500 arena, which is a surprise given the freezing temperatures this city experiences in the winter - and the fact the stadium hosts the Chicago Bears NFL team.

Locals attending the games suggested it was a source of pride for Bears fans that they brave such conditions but evidently that view is not shared by league chiefs who have never hosted a Super Bowl in Chicago.

There was no need for a drinks break in the later game between Manchester United and Bournemouth, which would have met with support from West Ham manager Graham Potter.

He was incredulous his side's match with Everton, which started at 17:30 local time, was stopped in both halves, even though there was rain – although not as heavy – and temperatures were well below 80 degrees.

"I have no idea why there was a water break," he said. "Somebody needs to tell me why that was the case. I assumed there wasn't going to be one because I came out with a jumper.

"We're hoping to get used to the pace of the game by playing 45 minutes when it's 74 degrees or something."

Potter's side won the game 2-1, Lucas Paqueta cancelling out Idrissa Gueye's early opener and Niclas Fullkrug scoring the winner for the Hammers.

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Football Finance Expert Kieran Maguire has been speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside about the sale of the club's women's team.

The team has been purchased by Roundhouse Capital Holdings, which is owned and controlled by American businessman Dan Friedkin.

The Friedkin Group completed its takeover of Everton in December 2024.

Maguire said: "It is a sideways move that means if The Friedkin Group want to sell part of the women's team - say 20 or 25% - they will be free to do so and it will have no impact on their control of the men's team.

"It is an investment opportunity. We have seen the fantastic success of the Lionesses recently. We are seeing, especially in the United States, a huge interest in the women's game and therefore you can now sell part of your women's team and keep control of the men's.

"It is setting up the business to be more profitable going forward.

"It is absolutely within the rules. We saw similar take place with Chelsea and Aston Villa.

"The women's team at Everton have control over Goodison Park which makes them an attractive all-in proposition in terms of both the WSL influence and a ready-made stadium there."

Read more Everton's move to sell the women's team here

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Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

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Everton's signing of teenage full-back Adam Aznou on Tuesday was their fourth of the summer – but it is a transfer window that has so far underwhelmed for a squad desperately lacking in goals and creativity.

Everton have scored just one goal in three public pre-season matches so far and that was from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw with Accrington Stanley.

They have also lost 1-0 to Blackburn Rovers and 3-0 to Bournemouth, with West Ham, David Moyes' former employers, next to come in Chicago later tonight.

Moyes has made his frustration with a quiet summer clear in recent days, saying that "time is running out" for the club to rebuild following the departure of 10 senior players since the end of last season, including key figures in Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Along with Aznou, Everton have signed a back-up goalkeeper in Mark Travers, raw Villarreal striker Thierno Barry and attacking midfielder Carlos Alcaraz – who was effectively part of the existing squad already having joined on loan from Flamengo in January.

Only relegated Leicester City and Southampton scored fewer Premier League goals from open play than Everton's 25 in 2024-25, while the Toffees also ranked 17th for expected goals from open play – indicating that very few chances are being created.

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After completing the signing of Adam Aznou, we asked you to tell us what position Everton should look to improve next in the transfer window.

Here are some of your comments:

Billy: We are absolutely desperate for a first-team quality winger. With Dwight McNeil's poor injury record in mind and our explicit lack of goalscoring threat, a prolific winger would give us much more threat out wide.

Greg: It seems our search for a right-back is getting as prolonged as it was with getting a striker. Years and years. Thats the first priority for me.

Mark: Everton need a playmaker and sharp forward passer in central midfield .

Geoff: Same old story - we cant put the ball in the net. We need a forward who can regularly score 15-20 goals a season. We haven't had that since Lukaku was sold to Man Utd.

Charlie: Right-wing. The problem seems to be there is a lot of demand for that position but the supply and quality are limited.

Richard: Desperately need two centre-backs. That is the biggest priority for me.

Lewis: Right-back and right-winger are a must - if we don't get either then we are doomed.

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

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Everton announced their fourth signing of the summer on Tuesday when 19-year-old left-back Adam Aznou joined from Bayern Munich for around £8m.

Toffees boss David Moyes says he has signed Aznou for his potential - and the teenager is highly thought of in Germany, with Bayern board member Max Eberl expressing "regret" at the teenager's departure.

Moyes has made it clear that he needs more creativity from his squad this season and Aznou is an attack-minded full-back – an asset Everton have lacked in recent seasons.

The Morocco international spent the second half of last season on loan at a struggling Real Valladolid in Spain and impressed for his attacking output/

He ranked second for dribbles completed for all defenders to have played at least 500 minutes in La Liga last season – even though Real Valladolid ended up finishing bottom.

Despite the promise, it is likely Everton fans will need to be patient. The 2024-25 campaign was his first season of regular top-flight football and he still only made 10 starts in total.

A product of Barcelona's famous La Masia academy, Aznou did feature briefly in the Champions League and Club World Cup last season, but he totted up only 29 minutes of first-team football for Bayern before his move to Merseyside.

Everton boss David Moyes says the club's recent flirtations with relegation could be behind the lack of transfer business so far this summer.

The Toffees finished 16th, 17th and 15th in the Premier League between 2021 and 2024 and were struggling again last season until Moyes returned and guided them to 13th.

"The truth is we're not getting them over the line at the moment - that's a fact," Moyes said to reporters in Chicago as part of the Premier League pre-season Summer Series.

"We're not getting a lot of the deals done which we're hoping to do, so we're continually reassessing and moving on, while maybe things are not coming to fruition."

"We keep trying to get the best players we can, but we're finding it quite difficult at the moment.

Four new players, including young left-back Adam Aznou from Bayern Munichand reserve keeper Mark Travers, have arrived so far this summer but a host of experienced starters left earlier in the summer.

On whether he is surprised the club is having difficulty getting deals over the line, Moyes added: "My first thought was yes, because Everton's such a big club, great traditions. We've looked at what it's stood for over the years, and the new stadium's an exciting new move for us

"But then when you have another thought and you think again about it, we've been in or around the relegation positions for the last five years, so maybe there's been reasons for it.

"The fact of the matter is we've got to rebuild trust in people who should come to Everton and show them that the club's going in the right direction."

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