David Moyes is looking at signing a defender at Everton with a new summer transfer priority now revealed.
Everton had a quiet winter transfer window despite claims that The Friedkin Group would make funds available for new signings for the second half of the season [TEAMtalk].
Carlos Alcaraz, who was roped in on a loan-to-buy agreement from Flamengo on deadline day, was the Toffees’ only signing of the window.
David Moyes, therefore, has to see out the rest of the season without much reinforcements, but that is expected to change in the summer when the Goodison Park outfit are tipped to have more PSR leeway.
David Moyes prioritising defender in summer
With Everton embroiled in another relegation battle, one would have expected them to strengthen their squad further in winter, especially following Moyes’ appointment as the manager.
However, that was not the case, leaving Michael Ball baffled. The former Toffees player is rather concerned by the club’s lack of transfer activity in the recently concluded window.
Ball, though, reckons Moyes will have one eye on the summer transfer window, with a new left-back already on his agenda amid doubts over Vitalii Mykolenko‘s ability to recreate Leighton Baines’ success in the position.
“It’s a bit concerning when you look at what we could have done in January”, Ball wrote in his column on the Liverpool ECHO website (11 February).
“While we understand where the club are with their financial situation, come the summer, I think the left-back area will be one of the priorities that Moyes has been looking at since he got to the football club.
“The new manager is trying to get the full-backs going, getting forwards and being more involved and putting crosses in, which is part of your job as a full-back.
“Does Mykolenko have the ability to do that week in, week out and have that delivery going forward like Leighton Baines had under Moyes’ stewardship?
Everton ready for squad overhaul
Left-back may not be the only position Everton will look at strengthening in the summer as they might need a major squad overhaul.
A whopping number of 13 players, including all loanees, have their contracts with the Merseyside-based club expiring at the end of the season.
This includes Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Idrissa Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ashley Young.
It remains to be seen who among those players will put pen to paper on a new deal at Goodison Park, but Moyes’ side may have to make several new signings regardless.
The left-back position will also need attention as Mykolenko’s contract runs out in 2026.
Therefore, Ball would not be wrong about Moyes already prioritising the signing of a new full-back ahead of next season.
Having won three Premier League matches on the bounce, the Blues have steered nine points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand.
Staying in the Premier League will undoubtedly boost the club’s chances of a major squad overhaul in the summer.
‘Concerning’ – Ex-Everton star names summer transfer priority at Goodison, Moyes already looking at it
