18 Mar 2026 12:47:13
Now I know these won't be bought into the club but a bit of fun to see how we might improve come the summer and improve on the positions that need some serious TLC. Players are realistically attainable for where we are at in terms of price, running down contracts etc.
RB:
Sanchez (22) - 10/15m. Contract until June 2029.
Omar El Hilali (22) - Rumoured release clause of €25m but I think there are a few conditions in there that would manipulate the price. Contract only until 2027 I believe.
CB:
Rafa Marín (23) -? m. Bit of a tricky one. He is currently on loan at Villareal from Napoli, who have an option to buy for 15m. However, Real Madrid have a buy back option from Napoli. Would be my first pick to sit along side JB. Another colossus who is just as good with the ball at his feet but seems to have much more of an edge to him.
Logan Costa (24) - 20/25m. Contract until 2030. Team mate of Marin. Although physically imposing and great in the air, seems to be more of a ball playing CB and capable of spraying accurate long balls to start attacks.
Charlie Cresswell (23) - 25m. Contract until 2028. Value has shot up since West Ham's interest and clubs like Liverpool and City are now said to be keeping tabs, although I think that would be an unrealistic move for him at this stage. Mates with JB and has played alongside him.
LB:
El Hadji Malick Diouf (21) - Depends on whether they get relegated or not really. Contact until 2030. Cost them 20m. Polar opposite to Myko. Some of the balls he has put in this season are reminiscent of Baines. 6 assists this year and was away at AFCON. Already has Idrissa and the magician here.
Robinson (28) -? m. Contract up in 2028. He came back from his injury and was straight into the team but Sessegnon is now keeping him out of the side. Could be a deal to be done to bring him back home.
Rico Henry (28) -? m but out of contract in the summer. Could be a cheap option for a very good left back. Has been forgotten about a bit since he suffered that unfortunate knee injury but looks to be back up to speed now. Could we tempt him away for a change from Brentford.
CDM:
Kaishu Sano (25) - 20m. Contract until 2028. Replacement for Idrissa to do the dirty work and allow the likes of Jimmy, KDH and Armstrong go and express themselves a bit. Not just a destroyer but a well-balanced tidy player with a low centre of gravity who retains the ball well.
Morten Frendrup (24) - 20/25m. Contract until 2028. Similar to the lad above but has a more impressive engine. The lad never stops. Liverpool were interested not long back before Slot found a home in the 6 for Gravenberch.
Pickford
Sanchez
Rafa Marín
JB
Diouf
Kaishu Sano
Even if we took the most expensive options from the above, it would only cost around the 70/80m mark, if current market values are lead to be believed. To totally revamp our entire defence and get 4 players in todays game for around 20m each isn't bad at all. Bearing in mind the clubs and leagues they are coming from, their wages would not damage us either.
I am stopping at the defence as apart from the striker position, we arguably only need a winger or two.
18 Mar 2026 15:21:17
Wow some good info there mate, excellent.
{Ed025's Note - yeah great stuff, he certainly knows his onions..
18 Mar 2026 20:36:21
I just hope Dibling comes good..
Always a great read, BN. Would be nice if pre scores had as much enthusiasm.
18 Mar 2026 19:09:02
Cheers GB/Ed. There are certainly players to be had out there. Probably a bit silly, given our historical performance in the transfer windows but I am slightly excited for the season to end, so we can see how we improve the side.
{Ed025's Note - a decent centre forward would be a good start BN..
19 Mar 2026 02:42:45
Me too BR. Hopefully we learnt from the Lookman mistake of getting rid too soon.
Not wrong there Ed mate.
I am not even being greedy enough to want an out an out goal scorer as they seem harder to come by as each season passes. I just want someone who is capable of finishing when given a reasonable opportunity and if they aren't scoring, at least posses a decent first touch and the ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play.
The good thing for us is that it isn't really hard to improve on what we currently have at our disposal.
I would love us to sell the 2 we have and go get 2 decent forwards. Both different profiles. 1 being a bit more of a target man and goal scorer and the other being more of a technical creator.
Big Lads:
Tim Lemperle (24) - The German Big Dunc but a bit more mobile. Love him and the cheapest and most gettable on the list. Hoffenheim have Asllani and Kramaric that get the majority of minutes but when he has played, he has gotten amongst the goals a fair bit. Big, strong, capable of finishing with both feet or his head. Great movement. Clean finisher.
Romulo Cardoso (24) - Big and strong. Good in the air. Holds the ball up well and brings others into play. Fairly press-resistant as he is good with the ball in tight spaces. Quite pacey for a big lad. Not got the most finesse but would be a quality signing if Leipzig miss out on CL.
Ange-Yoan Bonny (22) - Wanted him from his Parma days before Inter got him. Closest thing to Lukaku we would get. Everything Barry could have been. Not sure he would come but the allure of the PL and they do already have Martinez and a burgeoning Esposito in the forward positions.
Samu Aghehowa (21) - Again not sure we get him but we definitely have to be going for these players and working down from the top targets. Wouldn't come cheap but would guarantee goals imo.
Emmanuel Emegha (23) - Signed for Chelsea, potential loan if they sign a forward and have Delap and Joao Pedro. However, he has had a tough season with injuries ever since he signed for Chelsea.
That leaves us with the second striker who I think needs to have the adaptability and ability to play multiple roles for us. A technical footballer that can knit things together for us and if left alone around the box, can always score a goal.
Jonathan Burkardt (25) - Just a brilliant football player. Technically efficent. Both footed. Tireless work rate. Tim Cahill-esque in terms of his dynamism, desire and goal scoring ability. Whilst he may be efficient in the air, he is nowhere near Tim's level, however, his finishing with his feet is a different story. Would absolutely love him at us.
Asllani (24) - Great movement inside the box and smart finisher. Presses well from the front. Can cover multiple forward positions. Links up play well with his aerial ability and creates for others. Would be perfect for the likes of Ndiaye.
Amine Gouiri (26) - Can play as the 9 or as a supporting striker tbf. Behind Aubameyang, Greenwood and Paixao at Marseille so may want a move. Be a smart addition.
Nikola Krstović (25) - Same as Gouiri, capable of playing both roles. Instinctive finisher with great movement. Bit of a poacher throwback.
{Ed025's Note - i only have one question BN, how are you not the head of our scouting team mate?.. :)
19 Mar 2026 08:15:56
Since Moshiri took over, I've been excited about each Summer transfer window, BN. Just a shame 90% of the time it just feels stressful and like we are getting no one in.
{Ed025's Note - my bugbear with Everton BR is that we always seem to wait until the last minute to act, its like we let all the top players sign for others and we get left with the dregs, i just wish we could get some business done early so the players coming in can have a full pre-season with us and are ready to go from the off mate..or am i asking too much?..