Everton have been a little quieter than most fans would have liked this summer transfer window in a period that both promises and demands a significant squad rebuild.
The club has seen a considerable number of departures already this summer, with uncertainty looming over two more key players whose contracts are set to expire on July 1. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Idrissa Gana Gueye have yet to commit their futures to Everton. While talks with Gueye remain open, Calvert-Lewin is widely expected to seek a fresh start elsewhere.
These potential exits add to the five players who have already been released, as the club prepares to enter the Hill Dickinson era with a reshaped squad and a fresh direction.
The transfer rumours have been swirling for weeks, but concrete movement has been minimal, until now. With the conclusion of the European Under-21 Championship, a clearer picture could begin to emerge. Scouts and clubs alike have had the opportunity to assess standout talents on the international stage, and for Everton, this could mark the turning point in their summer rebuild.
The name on most Evertonians' lips right now is Thierno Barry. The towering forward, who featured for France at the Under-21 European Championship, has reportedly given the green light to become a central figure in David Moyes' rebuild at Goodison Park.
Seen as a long-term solution to the club’s striking woes, Barry's potential arrival signals a bold statement of intent as Everton aim to inject youth, pace, and power into their attack.
James McAtee and Omari Hutchinson are two names high on the wishlist of the Everton faithful. Both players bring a blend of quality, creativity, and youthful energy that could inject much-needed ambition into the squad.
Their arrival would not only signal a fresh, dynamic approach but also offer the kind of spark required to lift the club out of the relegation battles that have become all too familiar in recent seasons.
There has been growing speculation that one of the standout performers from the tournament, Nick Woltemade, could be on his way to Everton. The towering German forward played a crucial role in propelling his national side to the final, catching the eye with his intelligent movement, technical ability, and imposing physical presence.
Those early links to Everton began to fade once the bigger clubs entered the fray, with the Stuttgart striker now reportedly edging closer to fulfilling what seems to be every German footballer’s dream, joining Bayern Munich. As soon as the Bundesliga champions showed serious interest, the tone of the transfer conversation shifted, making it increasingly unlikely that a move to Merseyside would materialise.
The names of Merlin Röhl, Ernest Poku, Djaoui Cissé, and Clément Bischoff all emerged as standout performers during the tournament, each making a strong impression under the Slovakian sunshine for their respective nations.
Their eye-catching displays haven’t gone unnoticed, and a move to the Premier League should not be ruled out, particularly as clubs like Everton look to inject youth and dynamism into their squads.
The coming weeks will be pivotal, not just for the club's recruitment strategy but also for reigniting supporter optimism ahead of the new campaign.
The biggest cause for hope often lies in investing in youth, and there's no better scouting opportunity than a youth tournament brimming with raw, top-level talent. For a squad yearning, and deserving, of a return to European football, now is the perfect time to cherry-pick future stars ready to shine on a bigger stage.