Everton manager David Moyes expresses urgency over new signings as the club is “running out of time” before the Premier League season. Despite new additions, key player departures necessitate further squad strengthening, but current transfer efforts are facing difficulties.
Everton manager David Moyes has issued a stark warning, stating that the club is rapidly "running out of time" to finalize their desired transfer deals this summer. The urgency stems from Everton's need to bolster their squad depth in preparation for the demanding Premier League season ahead. With key players departing as free agents, the pressure is on to secure replacements promptly.
So far, Everton have secured four new players: young defender Adam Aznou from Bayern Munich, back-up goalkeeper Mark Travers, a permanent acquisition of Carlos Alcaraz, and a significant investment in attacker Thierno Barry from Villarreal. However, the departures of influential figures like Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ashley Young, and Abdoulaye Doucoure have created noticeable gaps in the squad.
Speaking ahead of a friendly match against his former team, West Ham, Moyes expressed his concerns. "The truth is, we're not getting a lot of deals over the line at the moment. That's a fact," he admitted. He emphasized the continuous reassessment of targets and the need to move on when deals stall. "We'll keep trying to get the best players we can. We want to challenge to get good players, but we’re finding it quite difficult at the moment."
Moyes acknowledged the growing sense of urgency within the club. "We're desperate to get things moving on because we know time's running out." The club has been linked with several potential signings, including Lyon winger Malick Fofana, Manchester City's Jack Grealish (on loan), and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo.
"The one thing I'll do is I'll tell the fans straight, and I'm telling it straight at the moment. We're having a bit of a struggle getting ones in quickly," Moyes added, highlighting the transparency he aims to maintain with the Everton faithful.
He expressed surprise at the difficulties encountered in the transfer market, considering Everton's stature and the exciting prospect of a new stadium. However, he also acknowledged the club's recent struggles on the pitch, hovering near relegation positions for the past five years, which may be deterring potential signings.
Everton is scheduled to kick off their 2025-26 Premier League campaign with an away fixture against newly-promoted Leeds United on August 18. The pressure is on to finalize transfer business before the season begins.