Rafa Benitez spent just a little over £1 million in transfers in his first season in charge at Everton
The summer transfer window is finally slammed shut. Contrary to previous seasons, Everton’s window was nowhere close to flashy, spending big on players and making statement signings. It was finally the time when chickens come home to roost. Due to the fear of exceeding Premier League’s profit and sustainability limits, the club had to adopt a shrewder, prudent and low-key approach.
Glaring holes still remain in the squad. Areas that needed urgent attention but due to the restricted capacity, Everton could not find solutions. After years of mismanagement and ill-spending, the day had to come where this process had to be stopped dead or the club would’ve landed in a disastrous situation, exceeding the profit and sustainability norms of the Premier League and potentially even breaching the Financial Fair Play regulations.
This was that season. To be fair, Everton did address some of the issues and made some respectable signings. While there is still big scope of improvement, Rafa Benitez now has to work with the available players and construct a system that works best while also hoping that the demons of injury don’t haunt the Toffees. Here are all the incomings, outgoings and missed transfers of the summer transfer window.
Here is a complete Everton transfer window recap:
Yannick Bolasie and Theo Walcott left Everton this summer
Contract expiry departures:
Yannick Bolasie
Yannick Bolasie’s time at Everton came to an end after joining the Toffees in 2016. After four loan spells at Aston Villa, RSC Anderlecht, Sporting and Middlesbrough, Bolasie has left Goodison Park. He has joined Caykur Rizespor in Turkey.
Joshua King
Joshua King was announced as a loan signing from AFC Bournemouth in the eleventh hour of the January transfer window deadline day. Carlo Ancelotti signed the Norwegian as a cover for Dominic Calvert-Lewin but the attacker was not even handed one start, making just 11 substitute appearances.
Despite having an option to extend his six month loan deal into a permanent move, Everton decided against the option. King has now joined Watford on a free transfer.
Muhamed Besic
Muhamed Besic was signed in 2014 from Ferencvaros but the Bosnian struggled to make a positive impact in the royal blue shirt. Following two loans to Middlesbrough and one loan to Sheffield United, Besic spent the entire last season at Everton without any football. Despite being just 28, Besic remains without a club.
Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott was brought to Everton for £20 million from Arsenal to add pace and threat on the right flank. The Englishman’s time at Goodison was underwhelming, scoring just 11 goals and assisting 9 in 85 games. Moreover, his performances didn’t justify the £100,000 per week wages that the club were paying. Following his contract expiry, Walcott joined Southampton permanently.
Matthew Pennington
Everton academy product Matthew Pennington has finally left Goodison after failing to convince any manager to keep him in the senior team. After eight loan spells since 2014 to various clubs, Pennington has joined Shrewsbury Town permanently.
Moise Kean and Bernard have left Everton
Everton departures:
Bernard
After joining Everton on a free transfer in 2018, Bernard failed to excel and produce his best game in the Premier League. The Brazilian was pocketing a hefty £120,000 per week in wages but was not a crucial player in the squad. Bernard was close to leaving the club in January 2021 but a move fell through.
With his contract expiring next summer, Everton were hoping to sell Bernard this summer. The 28 year old completed a move to Sharjah FC for which the Toffees received a modest token of €1 million.
Moise Kean
Moise Kean arrived as a budding youngster with bucketloads of potential. The failure to adapt to the English game and impatience saw him move to PSG where he blossomed. His success in Paris skyrocketed his value and a sale was anticipated this summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Manchester United saw Juventus push for Kean. The Bianconeri signed Kean on a two year loan deal with an obligation to buy for €28 million. Everton would receive €7 million in loan fees and another €28 million in transfer fees. Additionally, the Merseyside club could pocket another €3 million in add-ons based on sporting objectives.
Beni Baningime
Beni Baningime joined Scottish side Hearts on a free transfer, penning a three year deal with Hearts.
Joao Virginia
Everton third choice goalkeeper Joao Virginia left the Toffees on loan in search of first team football, joining Sporting Lisbon on loan. The Portuguese champions also have an option to make the move permanent next summer.
Following the arrival of veteran Asmir Begovic as the backup to Jordan Pickford, Virginia’s chances in first team would’ve dwindled.
Niels Nkounkou
On transfer deadline day, Niels Nkounkou moved to Belgian side Standard Liege on a season long loan deal. This loan deal could be beneficial for player as the Frenchman can get some much needed first team minutes under his belt but his departure exposes Everton’s lack of depth at left back. The Toffees only have Lucas Digne as a traditional full back.
Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend have sparkled for Everton so far
Everton arrivals:
Andros Townsend
Andros Townsend arrived on a free transfer to improve the quality on the wings. The former Crystal Palace man is a competent crosser, helping the Toffees enhance the service to Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison. The 30 year old presents a low risk option financially as he arrived for free but has already made a significant impact on the team through his performances.
Demarai Gray
Demarai Gray was signed for £1.7 million from Bayer Leverkusen and what looked like a wise investment is already appearing like a highway robbery. The former Leicester City man has made Evertonions jump off their seats and cheers for the side through his pacey movement and nimble footwork.
Asmir Begovic
Asmir Begovic arrived on a free transfer with one solitary job, to act as a backup to Jordan Pickford and play when the opportunity presents itself. Begovic at 34 is an experienced personnel capable of providing counsel as well to young academy keepers.
Andy Lonergan
Following the departure of Virginia on loan, the Toffees were in need of a third goalkeeper which is why they signed Andy Lonergan on a one year deal.
Salomon Rondon
Salomon Rondon was the only deadline day arrival as the Venezuelan striker reunited with Rafa Benitez following their spells together at Newcastle United and Dalian Professional. The 31 year old arrived on a free transfer and has signed a two year deal with the Toffees. Following Moise Kean’s departure, Benitez needed a backup striker and he got one in Rondon on deadline day.
Luis Diaz was one of few missed Everton deals on and around the transfer deadline day
Missed Everton deals on and around transfer deadline day
Nathan Patterson
Everton wanted to add security to right back department and made a bid for Rangers full back Nathan Patterson which was knocked down. The Toffees made a second £8 million bid which was also rejected by Steven Gerrard’s side.
Even if a third bid was to arrive and be accepted by the Gers before the transfer deadline day, it would’ve have been impossible to sort out the medicals and contracts before the end of the window because the player was in isolation.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Following the failure in Patterson’s pursuit, Everton shifted their focus on Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The Toffees made a loan bid with an option to buy but the Arsenal were not ready to let the Englishman leave.
This kick started an ugly saga where the 24 year old went public about leaving the club. Following showdown talks with manager Mikel Arteta on deadline day, the Spanish boss promised Maitland-Niles proper game time, Everton lost all hope as the versatile player would stay with the Gunners.
This has left the Royal Blues with scarce options at right back. Seamus Coleman is aging and will soon need a long term successor. Jonjoe Kenny isn’t entirely trusted as a backup.
Luis Diaz
Perhaps, this transfer failure will hurt the Toffees a lot. Rafa Benitez wanted to further strengthen the wings. Luis Diaz is an enticing winger who has been one of the driving forces at Porto and most recently shot to prominence at the Copa America for Colombia.
Everton were trying to resolve James Rodriguez’s future and proposed a deal which would see Everton pay a significant amount and send James on loan in return for Diaz. Even on transfer deadline day, Everton made the last push offering in excess of €30 million plus James on loan but a deal could not be reached and Diaz would stay at Porto.
How would you rate Everton’s transfer window?