A deal for a new midfielder took shape, an old one edged closer to a return, and Grealish’s future came down to one thing: fitness. Here’s what mattered at Everton on Wednesday.
Gueye agreement edges Everton closer to a fourth signing
Everton have reportedly reached an agreement with Villarreal for Pape Gueye, worth around £24m plus roughly £4m in add-ons tied to Champions League qualification, with the Toffees understood to have moved ahead of Man United, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Sunderland to get a deal over the line.
Gueye’s performances at this summer’s World Cup appear to have accelerated things, and if it goes through he’d become Everton’s fourth signing of the summer — a fitting like-for-like reinforcement in midfield with Idrissa Gana Gueye having left the club as a free agent this month. Personal terms and a medical are still to be finalised, so treat this as an agreement in principle for now.
Fiorentina muscle in on Oulai
Everton’s interest in Christ Inao Oulai faces sterner competition, with Fiorentina reported to have stepped up their offer to Trabzonspor for the Ivory Coast midfielder. Trabzonspor are holding out for around £34.1m, and with Barcelona, PSG and Chelsea also credited with interest at various points, Everton may need developments elsewhere in the chase if they’re to stay in the picture.
Douglas Luiz open to a Premier League return
Douglas Luiz is open to joining Everton this summer, with the Brazilian midfielder considering a return to England after a difficult spell at Juventus. It follows Everton’s formal enquiry to Juventus a day earlier — the player’s willingness is a positive step, but a fee with the Italian club still needs to be agreed before anything moves forward.
Grealish’s fitness holds up any decision
Everton’s position on Jack Grealish has become clear: no move, permanent or loan, until his recovery is further along. There’s no confirmed return date following the foot injury that ended his 2025/26 loan spell early, and the club want him match-ready rather than take on a player who still needs weeks of rehabilitation.
Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy and Como’s Assane Diao remain the alternatives if a deal doesn’t happen.
Branthwaite’s presence in Scotland offers reassurance
Away from the incomings, Jarrad Branthwaite was fully involved in training at Everton’s pre-season camp in St Andrews, a welcome sight after a hamstring injury disrupted the end of last season and amid the usual round of transfer speculation.
With Everton’s first pre-season fixture against Dundee just days away, keeping hold of a defender of Branthwaite’s calibre is arguably as important as anything happening in the market.
