Everton

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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Everton have completed the signing of teenage left-back Adam Aznou from Bayern Munich for an undisclosed fee.

The 19-year-old, who is a Morocco international and spent time on loan with Real Valladolid in Spain last season, has agreed a four-year contract.

"I'm so happy to be here," Aznou told club media. "I'm so proud to be part of this team.

"The project they gave me is really good. The Premier League is the best league in the world so I'm really excited to start."

Manager David Moyes added: "He's a young talented player with a lot of potential. Left-backs are not easy to get and we've brought in a young player who we hope will grow in his time at Everton."

That's a fourth summer signing completed - where is the most urgent area that Everton still need to strengthen before the start of the season?

Get in touch with your views here

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport journalist

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With Everton and West Ham the latest Premier League clubs linked with out-of-favour Manchester City forward Jack Grealish, we took a look at what has happened to the £100m man.

It has been a chastening two years for Grealish since he enjoyed the most successful season of his career. Then, he played an integral role in Manchester City's historic treble in 2022-23, starting the FA Cup final and every one of their seven knockout ties as the club won the Champions League for the first time. Only six outfield City players spent more time on the pitch than Grealish in the Premier League too.

A hamstring injury halted his momentum early in 2023-24, which the England international ended with more yellow cards (seven) than combined goals and assists (six) across all competitions. He featured in just 40% of the total minutes played by City despite being in the squad for 82% of them.

Image source, Opta

His involvement dropped to 30% last term as Grealish's career plummeted to its nadir. Three of his six starts after Christmas came against lower-league opposition in the FA Cup, while 16 starts in total is his fewest in a campaign since he was 20 years old.

Unsurprisingly, it was also the player's least productive season in terms of chances created and dribbling success since returning to the Premier League in 2019.

City's team structure has seldom afforded Grealish the license to take on and glide past opponents as he did with such insouciance as the talismanic captain at boyhood club Aston Villa.

The question now is whether the affable 29-year-old can reverse the downward trajectory of his career – and who will afford him the opportunity to do so.

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Everton are going to have to "pay what clubs want" if they are going to bring new players in this summer.

Having lost five senior members of the squad when their contracts expired and with injury-related absences of defensive duo James Tarkowski and Jarrod Branthwaite, the Toffees have struggled to pick up any form during pre-season.

The lack of squad depth was evident in their 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth in their opening game of the Premier League Summer Series at the weekend.

"Jordan Pickford came out to the mixed zone and he was a little bit down," Toffee TV presenter Ped told BBC Radio Merseyside. "I'm not sure if it is a line that David Moyes wants to get out, but he just reiterated how short we are and how many injuries we have.

"Having no defenders and having no bench I'm sure has taken it out of them. Both Pickford and Moyes in his press conference mentioned we need new players. It looks like we are about to get one, but Moyes has said we need nine or 10.

"He wasn't playing to the crowd - he was putting that message out to whoever was listening."

Everton have made completed three transfers so far this window and have made an offer for Bayern Munich's teenage defender Adam Aznou, but Moyes still feels they need at least six more.

"The way I would be looking at it is let's judge when the window shuts. Let's not be having a meltdown about it right now because who knows what can happen over the next two weeks?" Ped added.

"What Everton are going to have to do - and not everyone will like this - is they are going to have to pay what clubs want.

"We have got to go to the club and say: 'Here is what you want and now you need to force this player out'.

"I think the club are just going to have to suck it up this year and pay whatever these clubs want for the top talent."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Everton are interested in signing England midfielder Jack Grealish, 29, on loan from Manchester City but face competition from West Ham and Napoli. (ipaper - subscription required, external)

The Blues are interested in Lyon's Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 27, who they previously targeted in 2021 when the England midfielder was at Arsenal. (Sky Sports, external)

Meanwhile, Everton, West Ham and Nottingham Forest are battling it out for Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 27, who wants to leave Juventus this summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian, external)

Finally, Everton, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Bournemouth are set to miss out on highly rated 20-year-old Frenchman Nathan Zeze, with the Nantes defender preferring a move to Saudi Pro League side Neom SC. (Sun, external)

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

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There is something unique about a football fan's love for their club.

As once said by the great Arrigo Sacchi: "Football is the most important of the least important things in life".

Tears of joy - and heartbreak. Friendships forged. Memories that last a lifetime.

Sometimes it is there from the beginning, sometimes a moment is what starts it all or takes it to another level.

Wherever it comes from, the love for a club is often there for life.

As a new season edges closer, we want to know why you love Everton.

When was the moment it all began?

What is your most special memory?

Your first home game? Earliest shirt? A seminal away trip?

Send us your pictures and stories

Everton and Guinea-Bissau striker Beto, 27, is being considered as an option by Atalanta. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

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Aston Villa are set to rival AC Milan and Newcastle for England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, 28, who is a free agent after leaving Everton. (Sun), external

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter at the MetLife Stadium

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Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola and Everton counterpart David Moyes had a bit of a grumble about the state of the pitch at the MetLife Stadium on Saturday night.

This follows on from complaints during the recent Club World Cup.

It is not ideal given the venue will host the World Cup final in 12 months' time.

The good news is, it won't be the same pitch. In fact, the surface used last night for the double-header which also saw Manchester United beat West Ham was a different one to the Club World Cup.

This pitch was laid at the beginning of the week after three shows by country music star Zach Bryan and will be taken up this week in time for WWE's Summer Slam on Saturday and Sunday.

The pitch will be taken to a local farm where it will be used to make compost soil.

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Bournemouth kicked off their Premier League Summer Series campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over Everton at MetLife Stadium.

Andoni Iraola's attacking side got the better of David Moyes' error-strewn team, as Philip Billing and Dango Ouattara scored two goals in four minutes during the second half to sink the Toffees.

Academy graduate Daniel Adu-Adjei also featured on the scoresheet, with the 20-year-old netting the Cherries' third goal to seal victory in New Jersey.

Everton travelled to the pre-season tournament with only a 23-man squad and were without experienced defenders James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite and Michael Keane for the opener.

Both teams will head to Chicago for their next matches, where Everton will face David Moyes' former club West Ham United and Manchester United await Bournemouth.

Brazil international Douglas Luiz, 27, failed to report for the first day of pre-season training at Juventus on Thursday, amid interest in the midfielder from Everton, West Ham and Liverpool. (Gazetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

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Jarrad Branthwaite has not travelled with the Everton squad to the United States for the Premier League Summer Series after picking up a minor injury.

The centre-back sustained what the club described as a "minor niggle" during Saturday's pre-season friendly against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Branthwaite, 23, will remain at Finch Farm and follow a rehabilitation programme with Everton's medical staff as a precaution.

The Blues are set to face Premier League opposition in the USA as part of their preparations for the 2025-26.

The first play Bournemouth at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on Saturday, before facing West Ham United at Chicago's Soldier Field on Wednesday, 30 July.

They round off their trip against Manchester United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, 3 August.

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Toffee TV's Ped McPartland says people will be asking questions if Everton do not win at least one of their Premier League Summer Series pre-season games in the US.

David Moyes' side face Bournemouth, West Ham and Manchester United.

McPartland told BBC Radio Merseyside: "Of course there is going to be panic [if things don't go well on the pitch].

"Evertonians, and I am one of those people, will be looking at the results and the performances.

"It's a double-edged sword when you play in these tournaments abroad. I understand we don't play in them that often, but when you do play these high-profile games and all eyes are on you then people will be looking.

"If Everton don't at least win one of these games then people will be asking questions.

"You don't want to panic off the back of pre-season games, but it could also give them a bit of a jolt in terms of what is actually needed for this squad. I'm sure David Moyes already knows that."

West Ham will rival Everton for Douglas Luiz after Aston Villa pulled out of the race for the 27-year-old Brazil midfielder from Juventus. (Sun), external

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Everton are interested in Bayern Munich's 19-year-old Morocco left-back Adam Aznou. (Athletic - subscription required, external)

The Toffees are also keen on Atletico Madrid's Samuel Lino, with the Spanish club open to offers for the 25-year-old Brazilian winger. (AS - in Spanish, external)

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

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Everton continued their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 win over League One side Port Vale at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees conceded early on in the behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday, but Argentine midfielder Charly Alcaraz brought the game back level with a first-time finish from outside the area - the first goal scored by an Everton men's player at their new ground.

It was quickly followed by a fine 25-yard free-kick from James Garner, which proved to be the winner.

Everton will now head to the United States for the Premier League Summer Series.

During that tour, they will face Bournemouth, West Ham and Manchester United.

Everton have spoken to Real Sociedad over a deal for 24-year-old Japan winger Takefusa Kubo. (Teamtalk), external

The Blues have met Red Star Belgrade's valuation of Veljko Milosavljevic after Celtic had an offer of £5.2m for the 17-year-old centre-half rejected. (MaxBet Sport, external)

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Everton suffered a 1-0 defeat to Championship Blackburn in their second pre-season friendly at Ewood Park.

David Moyes fielded a strong side but new back-up goalkeeper signing Mark Travers was beaten after seven minutes by a Dion De Neve strike.

The Toffees will now prepare to travel to the USA next week to face Bournemouth, West Ham and Manchester United as part of the Premier League Summer Series.

Everton have submitted a bid to sign Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz from Juventus, with Aston Villa and West Ham also interested in the 27-year-old. (Teamtalk, external)

The Blues are keen on a loan deal for Manchester City and England playmaker Jack Grealish, thought West Ham have made contact with the 29-year-old's club. (Ben Jacobs on X, external)

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