A look at 10 reported Everton transfer targets and whether the Blues should sign or sweve them
A selection of 10 players who have been linked with a potential move to Everton this summer
Everton haven’t made any signings so far this summer, but they’ve already been linked with a myriad of potential purchases.
After pushing for a European place for much of last season and being just three points off a Champions League spot following the 3-0 victory over Chelsea on March 21 only to fail to win any of their last seven matches and slump to 13th, the Blues will be determined to improve next term and to do that, David Moyes’ men need reinforcements. But from the dizzying array of reported targets, how do you separate the wheat from the chaff?
‘Sign or swerve’ has become a popular short segment on the ECHO’s Royal Blue podcast. Here we play the game with 10 players linked with Everton (in alphabetical order).
Raoul Bellanova, 26, Atalanta, right-back.
Yes, Everton desperately need a right-back, in fact they probably need two, but I’m not sure whether the Italy international fits the bill. As an Italian international, he’s got quality and he’s attack-minded, which the team needs, but given his age and potential price tag – his current employers shelled out €25million on him less than two years ago – I’m not sure about him adapting to the Premier League.
Verdict: Swerve.
Sign or swerve?
YOUR verdict: Raoul Bellanova
Jarrod Bowen, 29, West Ham United, right wing.
A proven top-class performer, I enjoy watching him play and by all accounts he’s a good egg in the dressing room who was given his big break in the Premier League by David Moyes. What’s not to love about this one?
It would be great to get Bowen, but I imagine he won’t be short of suiters and ultimately, I struggle to see how Everton win the race.
Verdict: Sign.
Sign or swerve?
YOUR verdict: Jarrod Bowen
Liam Delap, 23, Chelsea, striker.
Bearing a striking resemblance to Sam Eagle from the Muppets, Delap seems to be the football version of Marmite among Evertonians. Some would love to see the Blues take a punt on him, others want to stay well clear.
We know David Moyes wanted him last summer, but he chose to be reunited with his former Manchester City coach Enzo Maresa at Stamford Bridge. Delap did well in an Ipswich Town side that were relegated but then struggled badly at Chelsea, so which version are you getting?
In his defence, even frontmen like Romelu Lukaku have been chewed up and spat out there.
Verdict: Sign.
Sign or swerve?
YOUR verdict: Liam Delap
Guela Doue, 23, Strasbourg, right-back.
Doue, who Everton have scouted for some time and who Moyes watched up close when Ivory Coast beat Scotland at Hill Dickinson Stadium, would be the dream ticket for their problem position. He provided seven assists for his club last season, but at the moment his reputed price tag appears to be out of the Blues’ range at £40million.
Verdict: Sign (but not for that fee).
Sign or swerve?
YOUR verdict: Guela Doue
Karl Etta Eyong, 22, Levante, striker.
A new link to have emerged over the past week but I just can’t get my head around it. Okay, the Cameroon international is very much a work in progress, but his numbers are not impressive.
Thierno Barry cost Everton £27million after 11 goals for Villarreal but has still yet to convince. Eyong was also sold by the same club on September 1 last year but then hit just six goals in La Liga for his new side.
Verdict: Swerve.
Sign or swerve?
YOUR verdict: Karl Etta Eyong
Hayden Hackney, 23, Middlesbrough, midfielder.
The Championship Player of the Season could have been the early signing through the door this summer to restore the feel-good factor at Hill Dickinson Stadium. While he was gutted to miss out on promotion to the Premier League with his local club, with one year left on his current deal, those close to him say he fancies swapping the Riverside Stadium by the Tees for the banks of the Mersey.
While Everton need to do a deal that is right for them, let’s hope it doesn’t end up being messy, or even worse, with the Blues missing out on his signature to a rival.
Verdict: Sign.
Sign or swerve?
YOUR verdict: Hayden Hackney
Gabriel Jesus, 29, Arsenal, striker.
If this was 2017 then Everton putting their faith in Jesus would have been a football miracle, but time and tide wait for no man, even those with his name. The Brazil international has been dogged by injury problems in recent seasons and you fear he now lacks the hunger and durability of his younger self.
The Blues would be paying marquee-signing prices for someone who struggles to live up to such billing.
Verdict: Swerve.
Sign or swerve?
YOUR verdict: Gabriel Jesus
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 28, West Ham United, right-back.
If Wan-Bissaka came to Everton as the main man in his position then I wouldn’t be so sure but like I’ve already said, they probably need two recruits at right-back. Having flattered to deceive at Manchester United following his £45million move, it’s less than two years since the former Crystal Palace man returned to London by penning a marathon seven-year contract with the Hammers.
They seem keen to get him off their books following their relegation, so perhaps the DR Congo World Cup player could be snapped up for a bargain fee?
Verdict: Sign, if not the only option.
Sign or swerve?
YOUR verdict: Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Harry Wilson, 29, Fulham, right winger.
Similar to Bowen in terms of his position and age but given that he’s an out-of-contract player available on a Bosman-style free transfer, the Wales international will be looking for the big pay day of his career. Everton tried to land another Fulham star Kenny Tete under similar circumstances last season but got their fingers burned when he decided to stay at Craven Cottage, but while Wilson doesn’t seem primed for that, will it be a case of once bitten, twice shy?
This correspondent can’t complain about the Blues taking Liverpool cast-offs, given that my boyhood hero was Kevin Sheedy, but while Wilson is also a silky performer – albeit not in the same class – he lacks pace and Moyes’ men could do with some speed.
Verdict: Swerve.
Sign or swerve?
YOUR verdict: Harry Wilson
Edon Zhegrova, 27, Juventus, right winger.
After Moise Kean, you might think Everton had been put off signing players from Juventus for good. Certain outlets reckon that the Blues have been monitoring the Kosovo international for a long time though now.
While Zhergrova looked good in his last couple of years in France with Lille, he flopped badly in Serie A last season, failing to score a single goal. Everton have already had a player like that in Jesper Lindstrom from Napoli, who also drew a blank during his campaign at Goodison Park and then again in 2025/26 with Wolfsburg.
Verdict: Swerve.
Sign or swerve?
YOUR verdict: Edon Zhegrova