Everton transfer targets Summer 2025: Goals & physicality on the radar

The Merseysiders are enjoying a remarkable resurgence under David Moyes since his return, and with a new era at Bramley Moore Dock around the corner, rumours about Everton transfer targets are already flying.

Everton made a £28m profit on their business last summer to satiate the Premier League's stringent PSR rules, though that did not translate into results in the early weeks of 2024/25, as the Toffees lost their first four league games on the spin. Sean Dyche's sacking on 9th January proved a turning point, with Moyes returning to the Goodison Park dugout after over a decade away and leading the club to a 13th-place finish.

With their impressive Bramley Moore Dock stadium set to open next season, Everton do have something to look forward to after a traumatic three-year period characterised by more managerial switches, absentee owners, and successive relegation escapes in the final home game. And with Dan Friedkin – who also owns Roma – taking ownership after Farhad Moshiri's long quest to sell the club, the Merseysiders could roll the dice once again as a rich and illustrious life of over 13 decades at Goodison Park reaches its endgame.

Everton transfer targets Summer 2025

James Ward-Prowse, Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal (West Ham)

First up on our list is a man David Moyes only signed in 2023 – James Ward-Prowse. The England international, who is one of the finest set-piece takers in Premier League history, was snapped up by the Scotsman last summer while he was still in charge at West Ham.

The Irons were quick to boot Ward-Prowse out on loan to Nottingham Forest in order to undergo their failed revolution under Julen Lopetegui. But Ward-Prowse saw limited game time under Nuno Espirito Santo, leading to West Ham recalling him.

Moyes is well known for developing strong relationships with players and got a good tune from Ward-Prowse in 2023/24, with him scoring seven and assisting seven. There could well be scope for the former Southampton hero to come to Merseyside, as West Ham look to rebuild under Graham Potter.

Ward-Prowse does have his limitations, but he would provide quality in the final third, which is desperately needed at Goodison Park. You might notice a theme across the first couple of names on our list as we call out midfield players currently contracted to West Ham.

We cannot help it though, it is what the grapevine seems to be suggesting and with an obvious connection between the two players and Toffees boss Moyes, together with what will have to be a midfield rebuild this summer for Everton, the links make sense. Tomas Soucek has enjoyed a hugely successful time at West Ham since joining the club from Slavia Prague with his physical qualities and ability to pop up with important goals.

We would not quite go as far as saying he could become the new Marouane Fellaini but it is fair to say he would improve the options Everton have in the engine room. If reports are to be believed, the Hammers are open to selling too.

According to talkSPORT, Everton, as well as fellow Premier League rivals Leeds and Fulham, are also all keeping an eye on Vladimir Coufal's situation, with the right-back's contract set to expire at West Ham this summer.

Jonathan David (Lille)

Lille's Canadian hotshot Jonathan David is out of contract in 2025, and Everton are rumoured to be one of the clubs monitoring the striker's situation – along with about a dozen others. The Canadian international would be a breath of fresh air as a true Champions League-level talent and certainly the best striker to grace Goodison Park since Romelu Lukaku's spell as a Toffee.

Though David would surely demand big wages, the lack of an up-front transfer fee for the prolific striker makes this move very appealing to the cash-strapped Toffees. If Friedkin wants to make a statement of his ambition for Everton, David's arrival at Bramley Moore Dock would be a hell of a way to do it.

Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri (Sheffield Wednesday)

According to The Star, Everton are eyeing a move for 15-year-old Sheffield Wednesday striker Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri, one of the most exciting young talents in English football. However, due to FA regulations, he cannot sign a professional contract until he turns 17.

Trai Hume (Sunderland)

According to Sky Sports, Everton are considering a summer bid for Sunderland full-back Trai Hume. The Northern Ireland international has garnered significant attention following an impressive 2024/25 campaign, during which he played all but two of Sunderland's Championship matches en route to the play-offs, where they defeated Sheffield United in the final to complete a return to the Premier League.

Hume has shown he can contribute at both ends of the pitch, and his consistent performances have seen him linked with a move to Goodison Park.

Silas Katompa Mvumpa (Red Star Belgrade)

Looking further afield, Everton could add speed in the form of Silas Katompa Mvumpa, who currently plies his trade with Red Star Belgrade. The Congolese wide man is currently on loan in Serbia, but has a release clause of just £8.4m, and parent club VfB Stuttgart have stipulated a 15% sell-on clause on any sale Red Star make, inferring they expect Silas to be on the move again soon.

Silas would be a more long-term option than current right-wing options Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom, who were both only on loan until the end of the season. It could also be argued that Silas has made a splash in the Champions League too, with goals against Barcelona and parent club Stuttgart being key highlights.

The blistering-fast, 6 ft 2 wide man is superb at driving to the by-line and whipping the ball in or crashing the box late, but also never shirks his defensive duties, having played extensively as a wing-back during his time at Stuttgart.

Georges Mikautadze (Lyon)

Next up is Georgian striker Georges Mikautadze. The Euro 2024 top scorer was Olympique Lyonnais' marquee signing last summer, as a long-term replacement for club legend Alexandre Lacazette.

Mikautadze was signed on the back of a pair of superb campaigns with Metz. The fleet-footed striker, who can also play wide, dragged Metz back to Ligue 1 with a 23-goal, eight-assist season in 2022/23.

He shone when he got to the top flight in 2023/24, with 13 goals and four assists in just 20 appearances. This is where opportunity knocks for Everton.

Mikautadze would not have been satisfied with his lack of game time this season, and Lyon need to sell, given their financial improprieties have seen the French Football Federation relegate them to Ligue 2, as they have not balanced the books. The Premier League would undoubtedly be a step up for the Georgian international, but given his success at Europa League level, his performances at Euro 2024, and Lyon's burning need to sell, Everton could get a real bargain.

Friedkin and co seem all too aware of this fact, and have made their interest in bringing Mikautadze to the Premier League known.

Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds)

Could this be the summer Everton finally land Leeds winger Wilfried Gnonto? The Toffees have been strongly linked with the Italian international the past two summers.

In fact, Gnonto even went as far as handing in a formal transfer request to Leeds to try and force a move back in 2023. However, Everton were unable to match Leeds' £30m valuation at the time, and Gnonto has remained at Leeds.

Gnonto, is a diminutive winger blessed with the ability to make something out of nothing. For the right fee, he would be a perfect fit.

Harrison Duncan (Rotherham)

Speaking to the Rotherham Examiner, manager Steve Evans admitted that a number of clubs are looking to sign Rotherham's teenage talent Harrison Duncan this summer. Everton are one club that have been linked with him.

Habib Diarra (Strasbourg)

According to journalist Mohamed Toubache, Everton are interested in signing Habib Diarra from Strasbourg. The Toffees have retained an interest from the January transfer window, and Diarra is thought to be rated at around £16m.

Manor Solomon (Leeds on loan from Tottenham)

According to TEAMtalk, Everton are considering a move for Tottenham winger Manor Solomon this summer. He impressed on loan at Leeds in the Championship this season, and is thought to cost £20m.

Sean Longstaff (Newcastle)

According to talkSPORT, Everton are considering a potential move for Newcastle's English central midfielder Sean Longstaff this summer.

Hamza Igamane (Rangers)

According to Football Insider, Everton are plotting a move to sign Rangers' Moroccan forward Hamza Igamane this summer.

Semih Kilicsoy (Besiktas)

According to CaughtOffside, Everton, as well as fellow Premier League rivals Fulham and Nottingham Forest, are interested in signing Besiktas striker Semih Kilicsoy this summer. However, both Newcastle and Aston Villa are thought to be leading the race for his signature.

Joel Ordonez (Club Brugge)

According to Football Insider, Everton will have to pay as much as £40m to sign Club Brugge's Ecuadorian central defender Joel Ordonez this summer.

Richarlison (Tottenham)

According to The Boot Room, Everton would be open to a potential deal to re-sign Brazilian forward Richarlison from fellow Premier League rivals Tottenham this summer.

Tom Fellows (West Brom)

According to TEAMtalk, Everton have continuously tracked West Brom star Tom Fellows ahead of a potential move this summer, with mutual interest from both parties.

Ben Doak (Middlesbrough on loan from Liverpool)

According to The Scottish Sun, Everton head coach Moyes has made Liverpool winger Ben Doak his top target in the summer transfer window. Fellow Premier League rivals Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are also interested in the signature of the Scotland international, who could cost around £25m.

Koni De Winter (Genoa)

According to Football Insider, Everton, as well as Wolves and Inter Milan, are interested in signing Genoa central defender Koni De Winter in the summer transfer window. The Belgian is thought to cost between £20-25m.

Georgios Vagiannidis (Panathinaikos)

According to Portuguese news outlet O Jogo, Everton are in the picture to sign Panathinaikos right-back Georgios Vagiannidis in the summer transfer window. However, Sporting, Monaco, Fiorentina and Ajax are also thought to be interested in his signature, and he has an £8.4m release clause.

Valentin Castellanos (Lazio)

According to CaughtOffside, Everton, as well as fellow Premier League rivals West Ham, Wolves and Nottingham Forest, are interested in signing Lazio and Argentina international striker Valentin Castellanos in the summer transfer window.

Nicolas Pepe (Villarreal)

According to French news outlet Foot Mercato, Everton, as well as fellow Premier League rivals Wolves, are interested in signing Villarreal and Ivory Coast international winger Nicolas Pepe, who is set to become a free agent this summer.

John Stones (Manchester City)

According to The Boot Room, Everton are open to re-signing Manchester City and England international central defender John Stones in the summer transfer window.

Anthony Caci (Mainz)

TEAMTalk claims that Everton have entered the race to sign Mainz defender Anthony Caci. The French full-back, known for his versatility across the backline, is expected to leave the Bundesliga club this summer after opting against renewing his current deal.

Caci remains a target for multiple Premier League sides, with Fulham also credited with strong interest. Mainz are believed to be holding out for a fee in the region of £8.5m for the 27-year-old, who could be available at a reduced price due to his contract situation.

Josh Brownhill (Burnley)

According to Goodison News, Everton have renewed their interest in Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the month. After narrowly missing out on a move during the January transfer window, the Toffees are now looking to capitalise on his availability.

Brownhill was a standout performer in the Championship last season, finishing as joint-second top scorer with 18 goals from midfield. His consistency and eye for goal have attracted attention from several Premier League clubs, including West Ham, who are also monitoring his situation closely.

Nick Woltemade (Stuttgart)

According to BILD, Everton are eyeing a summer move for Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade. The 23-year-old German international has enjoyed a breakthrough 2024/25 season with Stuttgart, netting 12 goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances and adding five more in the DFB-Pokal, where he finished as the tournament's top scorer.

His performances have not gone unnoticed, with several clubs now competing for his signature alongside Everton, including Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Brighton.

Matt O'Riley (Brighton)

Everton are considering a move for Brighton midfielder Matt O'Riley, according to Sky Sports. O'Riley joined Brighton from Celtic in August 2024 for a fee of £25m, signing a five-year contract until June 2029.

However, his debut was marred by an ankle injury just minutes into his first appearance, sidelining him for several months. Upon returning, he struggled to secure a regular starting position under manager Fabian Hurzeler, facing stiff competition.

Nonetheless, Brighton are reportedly keen to keep the Denmark international, believing he can still play a significant role.

Wilfried Ndidi (Leicester City)

Everton are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester City, according to TalkSport. The Nigerian midfielder has a £9 million relegation release clause in his contract following the Foxes’ immediate return to the Championship.

With Abdoulaye Doucoure having recently left Goodison Park, Ndidi is seen as a viable and cost-effective option to bolster Everton's midfield. Manchester United are also said to be monitoring the former Genk player.

Whisper+ hot rumour: Thierno Barry (Villarreal)

Sky Sports reports that Everton are considering a move for Villarreal forward Thierno Barry. The French striker enjoyed a productive 2024/25 campaign in La Liga, registering 11 goals and four assists while playing a key role in helping the Yellow Submarine secure Champions League qualification.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s future at Goodison Park uncertain, Everton are keen to reinforce their attacking options. The club are reportedly prepared to meet Barry’s €40 million (£33.8m) release clause, although internal discussions are still ongoing and no final decision has been made regarding a formal bid.