Everton

  1. Everton will have to 'pay whatever clubs want for top talent'

    David Moyes looks on during pre-seasonGetty Images

    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

  2. Gossip: Everton want Grealish and Luiz to bolster midfield

    Gossip graphic

    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)

    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)

    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)

    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)

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

    Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

  3. Why do you love Everton?

    Everton have your say banner
    My Club My Passion graphic

    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

  4. My Club My Passion graphic

  7. Pitch for double-header used for one night only

    Simon Stone
    Chief football news reporter at the MetLife Stadium

    Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes converts an early penalty against West Ham at the MetLife Stadium on SaturdayGetty Images

    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.

  8. Bayern Munich's Adam Aznou

  9. Bournemouth punish Everton in Summer Series opener

    Philip Billing celebrates scoring with his teammatesGetty Images

    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.

  11. Branthwaite misses Everton's USA tour with minor injury

    Jarrad Branthwaite in action for EvertonGetty Images

    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.

  12. 'Of course there will be panic'

    David MoyesGetty Images

    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."

  15. Alcaraz first Everton men's player to score at new stadium

    Charly Alcaraz of EvertonGetty Images

    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.

  17. Toffees lose 1-0 to Blackburn in second pre-season friendly

    Beto of Everton shoots at goal under pressureGetty Images

    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.

  18. Gossip: Toffees rival Villa and West Ham for Luiz

    Gossip graphic

    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)

    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)

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

    Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

  19. Everton launch 2025-26 away kit

    Everton 2025-26 away kit launchEverton club website

    Everton have unveiled their away kit for the 2025-26 season.

    According to a club statement, their latest kit pays homage to the dockland heritage surrounding the Blues' new Hill Dickinson Stadium home

    The club said: "The shirt incorporates a sleeve pattern that represents the railway line that served the Liverpool docklands during a time when they were at the centre of maritime connectivity during the mid-to-late 1800s."

  20. 'We've got to aim high - and why not?' - Keane

    Michael Keane in a yellow Everton training bibGetty Images

    Michael Keane says Everton have to "aim high" as they embark on their first season in a new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.

    The central defender signed a one-year contract extension at the start of July and cannot wait for the 2025-26 season to get started.

    "I'm really happy to be staying," he told club media. "To get it done in the end, I was over the moon and I can just crack on now, focus on football, train hard and make sure I'm ready when my chance comes.

    "[The stadium move] will be something that's really exciting and something I think the club deserves. I think the fans deserve it.

    "The past few seasons have been tough and the fans deserve some positivity. The Premier League is a tough league and there's a lot of good teams spending a lot of money. Nothing is guaranteed but we've got to aim high – and why not?"

    The Blues drew 1-1 with League Two side Accrington Stanley in their first pre-season friendly on Tuesday, with Keane one of four outfield players to play the full 90 minutes – alongside Nathan Patterson, Dwight McNeil and Tim Iroegbunam.

    "We played some decent stuff," Keane said post-match. "I think in the final third we can get sharper, but the lads have worked really hard for 10 days straight – even yesterday we had double sessions, so it's not easy.

    "You don't feel fresh and at your best but that's what pre-season is for. We got through it and we'll feel better for it.

    "[The start to pre-season] has been really good. It's been hard work with triple sessions pretty much every day. That's going to be good for us.

    "To play 90 minutes is good. I think a lot of lads will feel better for that and we just keep building into the start of the season now."

    Keane spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside too - listen on BBC Sounds

  21. Everton fans brave 'biblical rain' in draw at Accrington

    Giulia Bould
    BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

    Fans queue at a merchandise stall Getty Images

    It might have been a first pre-season game for Everton at Accrington Stanley, but the torrential rain made it feel more like a cup game on a Tuesday night in November.

    Supporters have been put through the mill over the past few seasons with PSR charges, points deductions, top players being sold off, takeover failures and a revolving door for the manager.

    The total attendance was 3,872 with 2,336 Everton fans braving the almost biblical rain in an uncovered stand, wearing plastic ponchos that made them more look like they were at a damp Alton Towers than a football match.

    But if this preparation leads to bringing home silverware for the first time in 30 years and having something to celebrate after navigating the recent storms, they will not care what the weather forecast is for the victory party.

    The Toffees were without the likes of Jordan Pickford, Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye, who have only just returned to Finch Farm training ground following international duty. New signings Thierno Barry and Mark Travers were also missing.

    As a result, this felt more of a chance for manager David Moyes to see his fringe players in action. Michael Keane, Nathan Patterson, Tim Iroegbunam and Dwight McNeil all got 90 minutes against the League Two side.

    Youssef Chermiti also got the nod over fellow striker Beto and the 21-year-old did a decent job of showing what he could do when he had two great chances just saved by Accrington's goalkeeper in the first half.

    It was though substitute Beto's penalty that ensured the spoils were shared in a 1-1 draw.

    But this was a matchday squad filled with academy players and under-21s - 10 of them in fact. While I anticipate some will be used to pad out the squad for the Premier League Series which starts next week, I cannot imagine this will be how Everton look come the new season.

    Moyes knows he needs players through the door if the club are going to challenge for the European places and stay well away from another relegation dogfight.

    There is however, plenty of excitement over one particular youngster.

    Harrison Armstrong went out on loan to Derby County in January and impressed in the Championship. Moyes is also a fan of the 18-year-old Scouser, who was given the number-10 role at Accrington. There is a lot of hope he will prove to be the next superstar at Everton, after Jarrad Branthwaite became the hero.

    Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside

    Explore Everton content on BBC Sounds

  23. 'Everton will be looking to do business more astutely'

    Shamoon Hafez
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    David MoyesGetty Images

    BBC Sport football news reporter Shamoon Hafez has been answering your questions.

    Dominic asked: With everyone who has left Everton for free there are some big gaps in the squad and I'm not sure we are doing quick enough business to replace them. How many players do you think we need to bring in to replenish the side and who should they be?

    Shamoon answered: Everton have squandered millions in the past on poor signings which have not worked out so will be looking to do business more astutely under the Friedkin Group.

    Thierno Barry comes in as centre-forward from Villarreal following the departure of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and will need to hit the ground running for a side that struggled to score goals over the past couple of seasons.

    The exits of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Orel Mangala leaves gaps in the centre of the park and Douglas Luiz has been linked with a move from Juventus.

    Jesper Lindstrom and Jack Harrison contributed little in terms of goals and assists last season, so a couple of creative wide players will be high up on David Moyes' list.

    Read more of the Q&A with our football news reporting team here

  24. 'It's a fresh start for me' - Travers joins Everton

    Mark Travers in training for BournemouthGetty Images

    Everton have completed the signing of goalkeeper Mark Travers from Bournemouth.

    The 26-year-old has signed a four-year deal until the end of June 2029.

    Travers made 82 appearances for the Cherries, while also having loan spells at Weymouth, Swindon Town and Stoke City, along with Middlesbrough, where he was the first choice in goal for the second half of their 2024-25 Championship campaign and played 20 league matches.

    "I'm extremely proud and excited to be an Everton player," the Republic of Ireland international told club media

    "Coming in, you can feel how big this club is and the history that comes with it. You really feel that with the fanbase, the new stadium now as well and the direction the club is going in.

    "It's a fresh start for me to come up here and try a new chapter in my career.

    "It's a really exciting time to be part of this massive football club and I just can't wait to get going."

    It is expected that Travers will come in as a back-up goalkeeping option for current number one Jordan Pickford.

    On the prospect of competing with the England international, he added: "Jordan [Pickford] is an outstanding goalkeeper for club and country. I'm looking forward to competing with everyone here and being a Premier League player.

    "Being in this environment is huge. We're going to push each other every day in training and whatever happens on the weekend, we're going to be there for each other and make the most of every opportunity that comes.

    "It's always really exciting to work with a new group and being able to help the younger lads as well. I'll give it everything. I'll take pride in doing the right things on and off the pitch and representing this club with a lot of pride."