![[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 18, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Juventus' Weston McKennie before the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Carlos Barria-Reuters via Imagn Images](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_103,w_3623,h_2037/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/327/01khs4dpc9hesa8byrak.jpg "[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 18, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Juventus' Weston McKennie before the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Carlos Barria-Reuters via Imagn Images")
This break in the Premier League season allows for a little look forward, past the end of the campaign and into the summer.
It should be a big summer for Everton. The club only has a handful of players out of contract, although three of them (Idrissa Gana Gueye, Michael Keane, and Vitalii Mykolenko) have been key contributors to this year's squad.
But Everton must set their sights higher this summer and look to build on what's been a successful season thus far. Even if they miss out of on a European competition for 2026/27, that should be the goal for the year that follows, and the summer of 2026 must begin to build a team that can not only get there, but compete on multiple fronts as well.
The Blues won't be able to improve only on the strength of transfers alone, and so they must scour the free agent market to find players who can step in and help the team immediately.
It should be noted that these players may yet sign deals to return to their current clubs, but as of now, they are possibilities and so are listed here.
No.1: LB Ryan Sessegnon, Fulham
This first one is a direct replacement for Mykolenko, although it isn't even a guarantee yet that Fulham's left back will leave in the summer. There is an option for another year attached to his deal.
The English fullback is almost exactly a year younger than Mykolenko, and has shown better ability to get forward. It might not be the longest term solution to the problem, but he could step right in and start on Merseyside.
He's got some versatility too, with the ability to play further forward.
Granted, many are keen to see Myko on in order to make room for Adam Aznou, so maybe left back isn't the top priority, but an upgrade is needed.
No.2: CM Weston McKennie, Juventus
The central midfield might not be the biggest need for Everton either, but it feels like Gana may be on the way out after this season, and James Garner has shown he might be able to play in more of a defensive role this season.
The American sliding in next to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the midfield would be exciting, and it's been a long while since the Toffees have added to their US contingency. If he's ready to leave Italy, there'd be a nice home for him on Merseyside.
There are options here on Everton's current roster -- between Merlin Rohl, Harrison Armstrong, and Tim Iroegbunam -- but McKennie would add a veteran presence to the group that could be much needed.
No.3: RB Oscar Mingueza, Celta Vigo
Stop me if you've heard this one: Everton need a right back.
We've been looking at this most of the season, surveying options from all sides, but there's a decent chance that Everton could need two right backs this summer, depending on what they opt to do with Nathan Patterson, who was the topic of loan conversations in January.
Mingueza isn't the longest of term options (he'll be 27 in May), but he'll be out of contract with Celta Vigo, and he may be looking for a new challenge. If he's on a free, the versatile defender may be worth investigating for a move to England.