Everton

Giulia Bould
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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As ever with Everton there is a constant swirl of headlines and social media rumours, but right now there is no change in the ownership situation.

I understand Dan Friedkin remains in pole position to buy Farhad Moshiri's majority share in the Toffees, but there is still a way to go before the deal is done.

Even if the Roma owner gets an exclusivity deal put in place to begin the purchase of Moshiri's 94% stake, there will also have to be the Premier League owners and directors test, plus regulatory approvals.

However, it is fair to say the process should not take as long as the, now failed, takeover by 777 Partners.

The Miami-based investment group first announced their plans to buy Everton in September 2023 and missed the final deadline to agree the deal on 1 June.

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Ex-Everton centre-back Alan Stubbs has paid tribute to his former team-mate Kevin Campbell, who he played alongside from 2001 to 2005.

Campbell died aged 54 on Saturday after a short illness.

"He was a really important guy in the dressing room because of his personality and his influence on the team," Stubbs told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"When Kev spoke he was one of those players where the other players would automatically listen to out of respect to him and the regard they held him in

"His smile made you smile when you saw him, it was that infectious. It really is terrible news. I don't think anyone would have expected hearing this news.

"What he did when he came to Everton from Turkey was he lifted the club. At that time the club was not in a good place. He came with a breath of enthusiasm, warmth, great personality and he didn't just lift the players on the pitch, he lifted the fans as well with his performances.

"His record speaks for itself. On the pitch he certainly delivered, but it was his connection with the fans off the pitch - he got Everton, he got what the club is all about. He was just a real all-round top bloke.

"Even after football when you saw him doing his media stuff, it was the same embrace, the same smile, the same Kev. He'd always put other people first.

"It is just a real loss, a real sad day."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds from 07:20

We asked you for your memories of former Everton player Kevin Campbell, who died on Saturday at the age of 54.

Here are some of your replies:

Lynette: He was an absolutely genuine guy. A fantastic player for us. He got us, he got the club. Kev had time for everyone. He was a great advocate of Everton. A legend scoring at Anfield too.

Vinny: Super Kev - what more can we say? He saved us from the abyss and that will never be forgotten. He breezed into Goodison Park like a whirlwind, scoring goals for fun. Always in our hearts.

Griff: When Everton were desperate for Premier League survival and they were in need of a hero, in came Kev. He not only inspired the team to survival, he proved to be a thoroughly amazing human being. A true blue Evertonian.

Ste: Kev will always be an Everton legend, a hero, a man of the people. He always took time to speak to us fans and was always smiling.

Adedarcy: Kevin joined us and single-handedly saved us from relegation. He will never be forgotten for what he did for the Toffees, what a fantastic human being. He will never be forgotten for what he did at Goodison Park and scoring the winner against Liverpool in 1999. God bless him.

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Everton's Jordan Pickford is the "kind of goalkeeper" England "need", ex-England keeper Joe Hart has said.

The 30-year-old, who is playing in his fourth consecutive major tournament for his nation, made some vital saves in England's opening 1-0 win over Serbia at Euro 2024 on Sunday.

Pickford equalled Peter Shilton's record of 10 clean sheets for the Three Lions at major tournaments.

"He has been exceptional every time [for England], especially in tournament football, but let's build on that," said Hart on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily.

"Jordan needs to be that guy now, needs to go one stage further. It's nice having clean sheets and appearances but he will want that medal round his neck. That doesn't come straight away, it doesn't come in the first game of the tournament, we have to build and with the goalkeeper performing as well as he is then let's keep going with it.

"I love to hear him talk - very calm, very understanding of the moment, that is the kind of goalkeeper we need."

Pickford's big personality on the pitch is something ex-Toffees and England midfielder Izzy Christiansen feels helps him perform at the top level.

"The first thing he was doing was communicating with the fans, getting that connection with the fans and he thrives off that," she added. "When the fans were singing 'England's number one', he acknowledges it and he uses it.

"He seeks that kind of enthusiasm from the crowd in his performance and it translates into the game when it kicks off.

"The way he is so expressive with his hand gestures, sometimes you wonder whether he is too wired? But that is what makes him tick and that's what makes him perform. If we are going to go all the way in this tournament then that man is going to have to have an unbelievable tournament."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Everton captain Seamus Coleman has vowed to "never stop" making sure the players know what the club "means to people", after signing a one-year contract extension.

The right-back was appointed club captain in August 2019, following Phil Jagielka's departure, and has gone on to lead the Toffees 133 times since then.

After agreeing his one-year deal, he spoke to Everton TV about his long-term commitment to the club, after joining the Toffees in January 2009: "I'm creeping up on some Everton legends and it is great company to be in.

"If I can get into the top-10 player appearances, it will be a proud achievement for someone who initially wanted to come over here and just make a first-team appearance!"

Coleman also handed "massive credit" to Blues manager Sean Dyche, who took charge in January 2023.

"I've said this a few times - it feels like a little bit of the old Everton has come back, with the old-school principles and the demands on each other," he said.

"You saw the progress we made last season as a result - massive credit has to go to the manager for that.

"The challenges this squad has faced has brought a real togetherness. I will never stop making the lads understand what this football club means to people either."

Everton are looking at 23-year-old Hull City defender Jacob Greaves as a possible replacement for Jarrad Branthwaite, if he leaves this summer. (Hull Daily Mail), external

Aston Villa are finalising a swap deal with Juventus involving midfielder Douglas Luiz, despite recent links to a move for Everton's Amadou Onana. (Fabrizio Romano - subscription required), external

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

Ian Kennedy
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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Whenever Kevin Campbell came back to Goodison Park you could tell straight away just how popular he was. He was a talismanic figure – not just a great player and great striker but a great presence both on and off the field.

I remember the immediate impact he made to Everton when he joined initially on loan in 1999 – his goals helped to keep the Toffees up that year, and from that moment on his iconic status was assured.

That's before you even factor in his winner against Liverpool at Anfield, and the fact he was leading scorer three times, and how he would assume the captaincy too.

He will be fondly remembered at Everton and indeed by all his former clubs and the football world in general.

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"Big-smiling". "An icon of the English game". "A true gentleman".

Just some of the tributes that have paid to Kevin Campbell after the former Everton striker sadly died aged 54.

Please send us your memories here, external

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Everton have paid tribute to Kevin Campbell, "one of the club's most popular and much-loved" players, who has passed away aged 54.

The former striker joined Everton on loan in March 1999, scoring nine times in their final eight Premier League games to help them avoid relegation.

He was rewarded with a permanent deal that summer, and stayed for more than five seasons.

Everton said: "Everyone at Everton is deeply saddened by the death of our former striker Kevin Campbell at the age of just 54.

"Not just a true Goodison Park hero and icon of the English game, but an incredible person as well - as anyone who ever met him will know. RIP, Super Kev."

Campbell was the club's first black captain in the top-flight and he became an enduringly popular figure for scoring the winner in a 1-0 Merseyside derby win at Anfield in September 1999. It was to be 22 years before the Toffees won there again, ensuring his permanent place in the affections of the blue half of Merseyside.

He is Everton’s fifth highest Premier League scorer with 45 goals, netting 51 times in 164 appearances in all competitions for the club.

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Jordan Pickford feels his experiences battling relegation with Everton can help England at Euro 2024.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper is set to be number one for his nation once again when they kick off their tournament against Serbia on Sunday.

Pickford has been a key player for his club during recent struggles that have seen the Toffees battling to avoid relegation in the past three Premier League seasons.

"There's a lot of positives and negatives at Everton. You learn from those experiences," he said.

"You've got lads here like Jude Bellingham, who has just won the Champions League. In the 2022-23 season, we [Everton] were fighting for our lives to stay in the Premier League.

"All of those experiences bed in together [in order] to be successful in a tournament, [with] the highs and lows throughout. Those rises - that's where you have got to be mentally strong. That's something I am. My mentality, I think, is key."

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Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford hopes he is "appreciated" after being selected for his fourth major tournament with England.

The 30-year-old made his senior international debut in November 2017 and had established himself as the Three Lions' number one by the time of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

It was in the last 16 of that tournament that Pickford helped England to their first World Cup penalty shootout victory after saving from Colombia's Carlos Bacca.

He also played every match as Gareth Southgate's side reached the final of the delayed Euro 2020.

"It's 61 caps now for me. I work hard off the pitch, and on the pitch I do everything right to the best of my ability," he said.

"I always want to improve. I'm 30 now and I keep improving every day. If there's anything I can learn, I want to keep trying my best to improve.

"That's what keeps me pushing. That's why it's my fourth major tournament. That's why I have won Everton's player of the year for the past three seasons. I know what I'm doing and I know I keep getting better.

"Hopefully I'm appreciated and hopefully this tournament is a success."

Despite Euro 2024 being his fourth consecutive major tournament, the shotstopper is looking forward to this competition as much as the previous three.

"It's excitement. It's always exciting to be a part of the England squad at a major tournament. It's quality to be at my fourth one. I've got to keep performing, which I think I have done.

"It's a major honour."

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Everton captain Seamus Coleman has signed a one-year contract extension until June 2025.

The 35-year-old defender will complete his 16th season at the club, the last at Goodison Park.

Coleman holds the Blues' record for most Premier League appearances, having featured 364 times in the competition.

"Everyone knows what Everton means to me," he told club media., external "I give it my all for the football club.

"I'm just really happy to extend my time here. I'm going to cherish and enjoy every moment.

"I still feel I can do a job for this football club on and off the pitch. I wouldn't have signed the contract if I didn't feel capable of contributing to the team."

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

It is the first day of Euro 2024, but the headlines surrounding Jarrad Branthwaite focus on his club future rather than a potential place in Gareth Southgate's England line-up.

After being included in the Three Lions' preliminary 33-man squad, and making his debut in the pre-tournament friendly win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, the 21-year-old was left out of the final 26 who travelled to Germany.

Now, BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone has reported that Manchester United have agreed personal terms with the defender, who Everton value at at least £80m - based on the fees paid for Harry Maguire and Josko Gvardiol by United and Manchester City respectively.

But how do his numbers for the 2023-24 Premier League season rank among England's best central defenders?

When compared with City's John Stones, Lewis Dunk of Brighton, Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi and Maguire, Branthwaite emerges favourably in several key metrics.

His tackles per match of 1.9, clean sheet average of 0.4 per match and minutes played of 3,117 lead the way against his counterparts.

Branthwaite's top speed of 35.1 km/h is also comfortably ahead of peers and places him eighth out of all Premier League central defenders.

His interceptions of 1.4 and clearances of 4.5 per game are level with Maguire.

In a difficult season for Everton, made all the more challenging by their eventual eight-point deduction for breaching Premier league financial rules, the Carlisle United youth product emerged as a shining light in a defence that only the top three of City, Arsenal and Liverpool conceded less than.

When Maguire was ruled out of Southgate's final squad with a calf problem, many believed Branthwaite would not only travel, but have a realistic chance of starting.

However, he may yet be on the move this summer, with clear admirers at Old Trafford.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Everton

Everton have announced British sportswear manufacturer Castore as their new technical supplier in a "club record" multi-year deal for the start of next season.

The Toffees' previous four-year deal with Danish brand Hummel reportedly brought in £9m a year, external but the new partnership with Castore is believed to be worth up to three times that amount.

Castore, which was founded in Wirral in 2016, will also become a founding partner for the club's new 53,888-capacity stadium being built on Bramley-Moore Dock, granting access to commercial opportunities and media rights.

Castore supply a stable of teams across football, F1, cricket and rugby league and will provide playing, training and travel wear for Everton's men's and women's teams.

Everton chief commercial and communications officer Richard Kenyon said: "The agreement - another record deal for the club - sees us link up with an ambitious and innovative sportswear brand and comes at a historic time for Everton as we prepare for our stadium move."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Everton will look for a fee of at least £80m for Jarrad Branthwaite from Manchester United, who are understood to have already agreed personal terms with the defender's representatives.

Now the transfer window has opened, United intend to speak to Everton about Branthwaite.

The response is likely to be frosty.

BBC Sport has been told Everton do not want to sell the 21-year-old, who many believe was unlucky to miss out on selection for England's European Championship squad.

The club believe it is just a matter of time before Branthwaite becomes an England regular and rate him in the same bracket as Harry Maguire and Josko Gvardiol.

Maguire cost United £80m when he joined from Leicester City in 2019. Gvardiol cost Manchester City 90m euros - at the time equating to £77m - when he moved from RB Leipzig last summer.

If you could only buy one, sell one, and loan out one player at Everton, who would you pick?

That was the question we asked you to answer, with the transfer window set to open on Friday.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Ashley: Buy: Romelu Lukaku - hopefully he still feels there is unfinished business and he goes on a scoring rampage. Sell: Amadou Onana - after an amazing Euros, I think we will get mega money for him. Loan: Lewis Dobbin - unfortunately we let all of the under 21s' contracts expire, so I think I would pick him.

Jeff: Buy: Joey Veerman - a good PSV midfielder who is relatively cheap. Sell: Dominic Calvert-Lewin - I think he is overrated but he is high on the radar of other teams, so I would cash in on him before he gets injured again. Loan (in): Lewis Morgan - I would take him on loan from New York Red Bulls when the MLS season ends in December.

Neil: Buy: Ross Barkley from Luton Town. Sell: Amadou Onana. Loan: Ben Godfrey. I would also try to get Eddie Nketiah in on a loan.

Brian: Buy: Find a young striker from the English Football League. Sell: Amadou Onana - getting rid of him for a decent amount of money makes sense because I feel he regards Everton as a 'stepping stone'. Loan: Neal Maupay - the clown needs loaning out again.

Ross: Buy: Wilfried Gnonto from Leeds United. Sell: Jarrad Branthwaite - but this would have to be for the right price. Loan: Coby Ebere - he has a real talent that can be developed.