Credit: Imago

Chris Smith

Mon 11 August 2025 16:27, UK

Everton are on the verge of signing Jack Grealish in a huge statement of intent, but their summer recruitment drive is not done there.

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The Toffees have agreed a loan deal for the 39-time England international, who has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium in recent years.

Grealish will offer serious quality for David Moyes, whether he’s utilised as a winger or No.10.

However, Everton need more, with several areas of the pitch still looking short of both depth and quality.

So, what other positions could be targeted now that Grealish is through the door?

James Justin has been linked with Everton (Credit: Imago)

Everton have already been in the market for a right-back this summer, trying and failing to bring Kenny Tete from Fulham.

That’s because Jake O’Brien has been seen as the first-choice option there since Moyes returned to the club in January, despite him naturally being a centre-back.

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O’Brien has performed excellently in that position, but his utilisation there affects Everton’s centre-back depth, while the Republic of Ireland international is somewhat limited in his attacking capabilities.

Beyond O’Brien, Everton can only call upon a soon-to-be-37-year-old Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson.

The former has suffered with regular injuries after entering the twilight of his career, while the latter has consistently failed to live up to his potential since joining from Rangers in January 2022.

James Justin is the latest name to be linked with Everton and is understood to be available for as little as £6million.

The Leicester City man has featured extensively on both flanks across his career and is technically capable with both feet — an even handier trait considering left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko came off injured against Roma at the weekend.

David Moye will want further midfield signings (Credit: Imago)

Everton completed the signing of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall last week, and the former Chelsea man should be a great addition to Moyes’ engine room.

However, the Toffees are in a bit of a midfield dilemma.

Grealish has the technical quality to fill that role, for example, while Dwight McNeil boasted a record of two goals and two assists in nine appearances while playing as an attacking midfielder last season (Transfermarkt).

But as you’re about to see, Everton cannot really afford to be pulling wingers away from their natural positions right now.

Everton-linked Tyler Dibling in 2024/25 (Credit:Imago)

Even with the addition of Grealish, Everton still only have three natural wingers in their ranks, with the 29-year-old joining Ndiaye and McNeil in a shallow depth pool.

So, you can easily see why Moyes might be hesitant to start using one of those players as an attacking midfielder, which could effectively leave him with nobody to make an impact out wide from the bench.

But the Toffees are quite clearly in the market for another winger in addition to Grealish.

Southampton talent Tyler Dibling seems to be their main target, though finances are making that pursuit somewhat difficult.

Additionally, Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo is a name who keeps on getting associated with Everton, and he’d be as big a statement signing as Grealish.

Either way, Everton need even more on the flanks.

Everton have already spent big on Thierno Barry to fill their No.9 role, so it’s hard to see them splashing the cash on another striker this summer.

However, supporters will have to remember that the France youth international is still very inexperienced — with just 35 games in a ‘top-five’ league — and will require an adaptation period to English football.

Beto is the natural back-up and competition to Barry, and for all his flaws, has seven goals in 19 appearances under Moyes so far.

However, the Lisbon-born striker has once again been linked with Leeds United and will surely have his eyes on being a Premier League starter next season.

If Beto departs, that would leave Youssef Chermiti as Everton’s only alternative striker and the 21-year-old has massively underwhelmed since arriving in England two years ago — yet to score or assist in 24 senior appearances on Merseyside.
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