After a quiet start to the summer things seem to be springing into life at Everton as they close in on several transfer targets.
Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney looks likely to be the first out of the door after a fee was agreed on Monday.
Reading between the lines the fee seems to be an initial £16m, with various potential add-ons lifting it closer to the £25m mark, dependant on Champions League qualification and any international recognition.
Less than 24 hours later, outlets including the
Liverpool Echo and BBC Sport reported that the Toffees are closing in on a permanent deal for Tyrique George.
The 20-year-old impressed during his sporadic appearances during the second half of the season, after joining on loan from Chelsea in January.
Those appearances were largely from the bench – 10 compared to just one start – but the youngster showed enough potential to justify a permanent move.
Everton had an option to turn the move permanent for £25m but reports say they have now renegotiated the deal with a lower upfront fee with potential add-ons.
Farbizio Romano also reported that Everton are close to signing teenage midfielder Arthur Barratt after agreeing a fee with Chelsea. The academy has suffered in receny years thanks to Everton’s financial woes, so it is due some much-needed attention.
Barratt’s arrival may offset the disappointment of losing the highly-rated Demi Akarakiri, who is reportedly set to join Cagliari.
There has yet to be an update on Jack Grealish, though updates on his socials showing him continuing his return to fitness at Finch Farm suggests a deal could be in the pipeline.
There is also still no update on Idrissa Gueye, who will become a free agent on Wednesday. His focus is understandably on the World Cup, so any news is likely to be a week or so away.
I don’t think it is a coincidence that these deals have accelerated as we approach the 1 July and new financial accounting year. The Hackney transfer in particular has been in the pipeline for weeks but the delay suggests Everton do not have any PSR concerns for 2025-26.
There are also practical issues. Players and managers are on holiday during June so transfers naturally take longer. Middlesbrough return to pre-season training this week and Everton are set to return next week, so it suits everyone for things to be wrapped up in good time.
And as good as these new faces are, Evertonians will remain restless until a new right-back is safely in the building.
