Updated at 3:30pm BST 28/07/2026
Everton’s pre-season preparations are gathering pace heading into Tuesday’s friendly at Stoke, but developments off the pitch are moving just as quickly.
The club’s stance on Iliman Ndiaye has hardened following Al Hilal’s opening move, with Everton digging in to retain their top forward rather than facilitate an early exit.
Meanwhile, firm negotiations continue for Jonathan Rowe following a £42m valuation from Bologna, while squad fitness news—including Jarrad Branthwaite’s return to action—begins to reshape David Moyes’ early options.
✅ Confirmed Arrivals
- Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough)
- Tyrique George (Chelsea)
- Merlin Röhl (Freiburg)
- Harrison Barratt
❌ Confirmed Departures
- Idrissa Gueye (Released)
- Seamus Coleman (Released)
- Reece Welch (Released)
🔵 Live Transfer Targets
- Jonathan Rowe (Bologna) ⭐ HOT TARGET Position: Winger Status: Firm discussions, £42m price tag attached Everton have stepped up pursuit of the Bologna winger with a £42m valuation on the table. Having left Norwich under a cloud before making his mark in Serie A last season, Rowe has rocketed up David Moyes’ wishlist. Manchester United remain in the background, but Everton are currently the more advanced of the two Premier League suitors.
- Pape Gueye (Villarreal) Unchanged — Agreement in principle remains in place.
- Brooke Norton-Cuffy (Genoa) Unchanged — Formal bid submitted.
- Rico Lewis (Manchester City) Unchanged — Genuine interest, dependent on City squad dynamics.
- Zakaria El Ouahdi (Genk) Unchanged — Three-way race alongside Roma and Crystal Palace.
- Jack Grealish (Manchester City) Position: Winger Status: Loan return in limbo Enzo Maresca’s ambiguous comments in his opening City press conference left Grealish’s future unsettled. Everton remain attentive to a second loan spell following his stress fracture recovery, but City must clarify their squad structure before any concrete move can occur.
- Dusan Vlahovic (Free Agent) Unchanged — Initial approach received; consideration expected to heighten if Beto departs.
- Alistair Johnston (Celtic) Unchanged — Ongoing monitoring.
- Franculino Dju (FC Midtjylland) Unchanged — One of five Premier League clubs keeping tabs.
- Roony Bardghji (Barcelona) Unchanged — Contact maintained among six Premier League suitors.
- Jacob Murphy (Newcastle United) Unchanged — Genuine interest, no formal offer launched.
- Christian Kofane (Bayer Leverkusen) Unchanged — Negotiations continue.
- Douglas Luiz / Ngal’ayel Mukau / Cesare Casadei / Djed Spence / Johnstone / NylandUnchanged.
❌ Recently Missed
(Unchanged — Abdul Fatawu, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jarrod Bowen)
🔴 Players Linked with Exits
- Iliman Ndiaye ⭐ STANCE HARDENSStatus: Al Hilal interest, Everton prepared to offer new terms Details: Following news that Al Hilal opened talks for the Senegal international, Everton’s internal response has hardened considerably. With three years remaining on his contract and a valuation holding firm at £69m–£70m, Everton hold total leverage and are prepared to open negotiations on an improved long-term deal rather than facilitate a sale. Aston Villa, Manchester United, City, and Spurs maintain underlying interest, but Everton treat this as a retention battle.
- BetoStatus: Interest registered by Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest continue to monitor the Portuguese striker. Nothing has progressed beyond initial interest, and Everton have given no indication they are looking to sell.
- Tim IroegbunamUnchanged.
- Mark TraversUnchanged.
📝 Contract & Squad Fitness Watch
- Jarrad Branthwaite ⭐ FITNESS BOOSTMade his first pre-season appearance in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Bolton, completing 45 minutes in his first action since April’s derby injury. On track for full fitness ahead of the Premier League opener.
- James Garner ⭐ INJURY UPDATEUnderwent successful groin surgery following pre-season complications. Targeting a return to training around the opening week of the season, leaving his presence against Crystal Palace on 16 August in serious doubt. Reports of a renewed Villa approach remain heavily disputed/denied.
- Hayden Hackney & Tyler DiblingBoth summer additions are targeting their debuts against Stoke on Tuesday. Hackney has been building fitness following an end-of-season issue, while Dibling has recovered from a minor knock that kept him out of the Bolton game.
- Thierno BarryUnchanged — RB Leipzig interest logged, no sale considered.
What Next?
With Everton standing firm on Iliman Ndiaye and preparing contract talks, focus shifts to active incomings like Jonathan Rowe (£42m). The ongoing right-back search (El Ouahdi, Norton-Cuffy, Johnston, Lewis) remains a primary tactical focus for David Moyes, while Merlin Röhl’s versatile pre-season deployments at right-back offer an intriguing internal solution in the interim.
