The 2025/26 Premier League season is done and dusted. Arsenal are the champions, and the trio of Wolves, Burnley, and West Ham, partially due to Everton's incompetence, are heading down to the Championship.
But bad teams aren't bad because every player is bad, which means relegated sides are often picked apart by their top-flight brethern once the summer transfer window opens.
Here are some players that Everton should keep an eye on as the window opens, as they both fill needs that the Toffees will have and could come at a more discounted rate.
Wolves
Hugo Bueno, LB
Even with Everton supposedly extending the contract of the current left back, David Moyes' perceived lack of interest in Adam Aznou as an option there means the club needs another player in that spot.
Bueno is closer to Aznou than he is to Vitalii Mykolenko, as he played all over the left side for Wolves this year, but that's the type of fullback Everton need to bring in. The 23-year-old may be more suited as a wingback, but could be an option for the Blues.
André, CDM
This would be the prize of the Wolverhampton trio, as Everton desperately need a solution for its defensive midfielder role, given Idrissa Gana Gueye's age and contract situation.
Unfortunately, Wolves have likely seen the interest in their Brazilian ball-winner coming, and they've convinced the player to sign a new long-term deal with the club despite the relegation.
That doesn't mean he won't move; it just means he won't come cheap. But it's an area of high need for Everton, so they should entertain the idea if the option is there.
João Gomes, CM
If Andre can't be had, then his Brazilian compatriot is another option, although he is might be slightly less defensive-minded than his teammate, and more likely to progress the ball forward.
Gomes is six months older than Andre, but he'd still be an interesting addition for Everton, and a player who could offer something in the midfield that most of the current crop doesn't in terms of carrying the ball forward.
Burnley
Bashir Humphreys, CB/DM
Humphreys' fatal flaw is one that Tyler Dibling found out the hard way is important to David Moyes: he doesn't have a lot of "Premier League experience," having featured in just 20 matches for Burnley last year.
But as a third/fourth center back option behind Jarrad Branthwaite and (hopefully) Jake O'Brien, he'd be a reasonable player to bring in as opposed to Michael Keane or James Tarkowski, not to mention he can provide some positional versatility.
Florentino Luís, CDM
Finding another midfielder who can be Gana's replacement is key, and in Luis, Burnley have a guy who might be able to replicate some of what the Senegal international has done for Everton for so many years.
He might not be as efficient a ball-winner as Gana, but Luis is a decent replication, even if he isn't as progressive in his passing. But it's a position of need for Everton that could be solved, even if Luis is a little older (he'll turn 27 in August).
Jaidon Anthony, LW/AM
While it feels like the push will be to bring Jack Grealish back, maybe the consideration could be for younger players who could help on the wingers and in central attacking areas.
Moyes doesn't rate Charly Alcaraz, so it feels like more depth there will be necessary, and Anthony is very similar to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in terms of progression, so maybe Moyes would be on board (even if he is a bit redundant in that regard).
West Ham United
Malick Diouf, LB/CM
Diouf just turned 21 in late December and has the versatility as a left back (where he has played most of his games for club and country this season) and a defensive midfielder that could solve two problems with one player.
The Senegal international's relationship with Gana and Iliman Ndiaye might help here, too. Of all the players so far, this feels like the best option, especially if his market value comes in lower than expected due to the relegation.
Crysencio Summerville, AM/FW
Throw out all the other names (maybe outside of Diouf), because Crysencio Summerville is the star of this show.
As Evertonians know well from watching the 24-year-old Dutchman carve the Toffees up this season, this would be a very exciting addition, and one that might actually improve Everton in a massive way.
For one, he can operate all along the front line, on either wing or centrally, creating a nice combination between himself, Ndiaye, and KDH. He can even step up and play as a center forward in a pinch, although his size wouldn't allow him to do that often.
His market value isn't unreasonable for someone of his age and profile, and as much as West Ham say they're going to try to retain his value, the relegation will matter in the end. This would be a major get for Everton.
Mateus Fernandes, CM/DM
Another young, versatile player who Everton should inquire about is the soon-to-be 22-year-old Portuguese, Mateus Fernandes.
He can play either as a central midfielder or a defensive midfielder, and would be an excellent player to pair next to James Garner in Everton's midfield, as both are good passers and willing defenders when called upon.
Fernandes' age will drive up the price a little bit, but Everton could consider this a move for both the short and long term.
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