Graham Ruthven: Everton’s lack of summer business is starting to become a concern as times runs out

A monument to Everton’s new era sits on the banks of the River Mersey. The gleaming Hill Dickinson Stadium will finally open its doors to Premier League football this season, marking the dawn of another age for the Toffees. A brighter age, most Everton fans hope. So far, though, this summer’s transfer window hasn’t matched this anticipation.

With the start of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign just over two weeks away, Everton have largely stood still this summer. It could be argued they have taken a step backwards such is the number of players that left at the end of last season with Thierno Barry and Mark Travers (a substitute goalkeeper) their only new additions.

The second half of Saturday’s pre-season defeat to Bournemouth exposed just how short-handed Everton are. Having been competitive for 45 minutes, the Cherries dominated Everton after the break, ultimately winning 3-0 with David Moyes’ outfit struggling for form and fitness as a number of ineffective changes were made from the bench.

Everton have lodged a bid for Bayern Munich teenage defender Adam Aznou, but there’s a sense the Toffees need a lot more experience and proven quality in their squad to ensure a successful 2025/26 season. Moyes, more than anyone else, is aware of this fact and has publicly voiced his concern over the lack of activity, even raising the need for “nine to 10” new players.

“Well, we’ve signed three, so if you take that off, we’re still in the need of maybe five or six players,” said the Everton manager after Saturday’s disappointing defeat to Bournemouth with followed on from another pre-season loss to Blackburn Rovers. “That’s what we have to try and do. I’ve never had one of these times. In the past I have had to sign a lot of players, but I’ve never had to do so many in one window.”

Speculation is swirling. Everton are reportedly interested in Jack Grealish, but would struggle to permanently land the Manchester City winger. Instead, the Toffees might have to sign Grealish on loan. Douglas Luiz is another player currently being mentioned as an Everton target just a year on from the Brazilian midfielder joining Juventus from Aston Villa.

Malick Fofana would be a statement signing, particularly with Liverpool believed to be chasing the Lyon attacker, but the 20-year-old could cost as much as £50m. Would this really be a good use of transfer funds by Everton when they already have Iliman Ndiaye on the left wing, where Fofana is most effective.

Everton will surely accelerate their transfer window plans over the coming weeks, but the sense of excitement fans had at the start of the summer has faded. It was hoped that Dan Friedkin’s takeover of the Merseyside club would lead to a busy summer window. Instead, Everton have been paralysed by the scale of the rebuild in front of them.

That Everton stayed in the Premier League for the opening of their new stadium is an achievement in itself. There was a point in each of the last three seasons when it appeared they might be a Championship club for the ribbon cutting moment. For on and off the pitch reasons, this would have been disastrous.

Moyes put in place the foundations for a rebuild towards the end of last season, but Everton have so far failed to give him the tools required for the next step of his project. There’s still time for the Toffees to get what they need for a successful campaign. The summer window will be open for another month. Everton, however, are leaving it late.

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