Everton summer transfer window 2025: Top targets, budget, most likely signings and priority positions

After ending their tumultuous 2024-25 season in strong fashion, Everton have their sights set higher than the 13th-placed finish they managed last term as they prepare to relocate to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

David Moyes returned to the Toffees hotseat after 13 years elsewhere, and steered the Blues away from the relegation zone with a near-instant impact as they waved goodbye to Goodison Park in familiar hands.

The Scotsman may have lost his first match back against Aston Villa, but he collected an impressive 31 points over the remainder of the season, ranking the club fifth in the division during that spell and just six points short of champions Liverpool in the same time frame.

Everton have made a number of additions in the summer transfer window, recruiting Mark Travers, Adam Aznou, Carlos Alcaraz, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Thierno Barry, and most recently, the eye-catching acquisitions of Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City, and Tyler Dibling from Southampton.

The Toffees are not content with the seven summer recruits though, as they pushing to bring in further reinforcements before the transfer market closes for business at the start of September.

An opening day defeat away to Leeds United appeared to accelerate this process, as they pushed on with getting the Dibling deal over the line, but a much-improved performance saw them beat Brighton & Hove Albion in their first home game at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Here, Sports Mole considers where the Toffees need to bolster the squad, and takes a look at which players could join this summer.

Budget

There is simply no excuse for Everton to not go out and spend this summer, after years of penny-pinching amid concerns with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and points deductions dating back to their woeful recruitment in the late 2010s.

With new owners who appear to be committed to the club, the seasons under PSR scrutiny having now passed, and over £100m entering the coffers thanks to Premier League revenue, Everton fans will want to see substantial spending to bolster their threadbare squad, especially with many leaving on free transfers.

Moyes has explicitly stated his desire for new arrivals, saying: "We know we are going to have to bring in some new players, that's obvious", after picking up his OBE from Windsor Castle, and further bemoaning the state of the squad during the pre-season tour to the USA last month.

A fair chunk has been spent on Dibling, Barry and Dewsbury-Hall, while Grealish's loan deal is expected to be one of the most expensive anywhere in Europe, but Moyes will hope the Friedkin's are still willing open their wallets again for further additions this month.

Priority Positions

After adding significant quality in attack, with Dibling, Barry and Grealish joining, Everton's priorities will again revert to defensive recruits, with a startling lack of centre-backs for their Premier League Summer Series defeat to Bournemouth raising alarm bells.

Everton have four centre-backs at the club, after extending Michael Keane's contract over the summer, but Jake O'Brien will more than likely be used as a right-back this season, meaning another signing is paramount to ensure they are not left short.

With Ashley Young leaving and Nathan Patterson set to follow suit, a natural right-back is high on the list of priorities for Everton this summer, even though veteran defender Seamus Coleman put pen to paper on a new contract.

Dewsbury-Hall and Alcaraz's arrivals have not done enough to fill the gaps in midfield though, so expect another incoming in the engine room, especially with Idrissa Gueye turning 36 next month, and question marks remaining about the ability of James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam.

A new number nine was at the top of Everton's wishlist, and even though the Toffees have recently confirmed the signing of Barry from Villarreal in a deal worth £27m, there are whispers that Moyes could seek another, more experienced, addition to their front line.

Top Targets

Following the arrival of Dibling, Everton fans are still keen to see a right-back and a central midfielder signed before the window shuts.

Bids for Tomas Soucek and John McGinn have both been rejected over the summer, while versatile defenders Nathan Ake and Victor Lindelof have also been names that have cropped up in conversation, following the latter's release by Manchester United especially.

With Patterson on his way to Sevilla, and O'Brien playing out-of-position as a right back, that could be the position the Everton scouts target next, but no concrete interest has emerged for any player in that area just yet,