At one stage this season, it looked like Everton would be playing in European football for the first time in eight years under the guidance of David Moyes.
The Toffees were firmly in the race for a top-eight finish in April, but their performance late in the campaign ultimately dashed any dreams their supporters had gathered.
However, without a win in the final seven games of the Premier League season, the club finished the 2025/26 season in just 13th place, just 10 points off the drop zone.
It’s certainly a step in the right direction for the Toffees, but this summer will be a crucial time for Moyes and the club as they try to bring Hill Dickinson back to its glory days.
Despite the transfer window not opening until early June, recruitment teams have already carried out due diligence and identified a number of potential summer targets.
Everton begin work on signing winger Moyes
In recent days, Everton have been rumored to be making a number of talent acquisitions that could help them climb the Premier League table throughout the 2026/27 season.
Chelsea striker Liam Delap has emerged as one of this summer’s transfer targets after failing to secure a spot in the Blues’ starting nine this season.
A sale could take place during this period, with a transfer fee expected to be around £30m, but the likes of Newcastle United and Leeds United are also rumored to be interested in the 23-year-old.
The Englishman is not the only high-profile player in the division at the moment, with Brighton & Hove Albion winger Solly March also being highly praised behind the scenes.
According to TEAMtalk, the Toffees are laying the foundations ahead of a potential summer move and have expressed an interest in signing the 31-year-old.
The Englishman is reportedly set to leave the Seagulls on a free transfer at the end of June after Fabian Hürzeler’s side decided not to sign the winger to a new contract.
According to an article on TEAMtalk, seven teams in the top league are keen on making transfers during this period in March, and there could be a major transfer battle in the coming weeks.
Why March could be Everton’s next Grealish after Moyes
There was great excitement among Everton supporters last summer after the club secured the signing of Jack Grealish on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
The 30-year-old’s proven quality and experience in England’s top flight make him a great addition, with his early form on Merseyside supporting the excitement behind the deal.
He provided four assists in Moyes’ first three league games, but fitness issues brought an abrupt end to his success at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton’s highest total goals and assists (2025/26) | |
|---|---|
player | tally |
Keenan Dewsbury Hall | 12 |
Beth | 10 |
Iliman Ndiayi | 9 |
james garner | 9 |
Jack Grealish | 8 |
james garner | 8 |
Tierno Barry | 8 |
james tarkowski | 5 |
Grealish broke his leg in January and the Toffees subsequently ended the season without a player of his caliber within the final third.
It remains to be seen whether the class will trigger their £50m buy-out option this summer, but other targets are currently being drawn up in case a permanent deal is not reached.
March is just one of the players currently being considered by recruitment teams, with the Englishman potentially becoming the next version of Grealish’s Merseyside manager.
Like the Everton loanee, he has also been plagued by injuries in recent times, making just 19 appearances in the top flight over the past three seasons.
However, he also had great success in the Premier League, as evidenced by his total of 14 goals and assists in the 2022/23 season, contributing to the Seagulls’ stability in European football.
The 31-year-old, described as “phenomenal” by journalist Kathryn Batte, has a similar style of play to Grealish, preferring to play from the wings and cut inside with his strong feet.
He has amassed an impressive catalog of goals during his time at the Amex, with many of his efforts highlighting his ability to weave through opponents and score goals.
Last season, the winger achieved an impressive 2.8 successful crosses per 90, and has since ranked in the top 2% of attackers in England’s top flight.
He also managed to create 1.7 chances for his teammates per 90 minutes. This highlights the similar level of creativity that Grealish has produced on Merseyside this term.
March’s injury problems are undoubtedly the biggest concern for supporters, but he has consistently proven that he can thrive in the forward areas when fully fit.
While signing Grealish may still be the first choice for the fan base, signing March could be a cheaper and more effective alternative for Moyes as he looks to succeed at the Toffees.
Garner next for Moyes: Everton could accept £25m bid to sign ‘special’ star
Everton have had a strange end to the season under manager David Moyes.
