Forty-five days into the transfer window. Thirty-four to go before it slams shut on 1 September. Four signings to show for it.
For the mathematicians out there, that’s technically one signing every eleven-and-a-bit days. Let’s rank them by volume, quietest to loudest.
4. Arthur Barratt
Sixteen, from Chelsea’s academy, and I’d bet most of you are seeing his name here for the first time.
Fine business. maybe. Also completely silent business.
No unveiling photo, no reaction on the forums, nothing. A line in the tracker and that’s your lot.
3. Merlin Röhl
Technically a “signing.” Really just admin.
He’d already been here a season on loan, the obligation-to-buy triggered, and somewhere a solicitor billed Everton for the paperwork.
Nobody threw a party. Lovely guy, though. Good mates with Bainsey.
2. Tyrique George
A bit more noise here, because at least we knew what we were getting.
He’d shown enough in the second half of last season that the £18m fee felt like confirmation rather than news.
Solid. Unspectacular. A signing that landed with an appreciative nod rather than a loud cheer.
1. Hayden Hackney
This one deserves top spot, and not just because he’s the closest thing to a proper marquee arrival.
Everton chased him for months — this wasn’t a deal that materialised out of nowhere; it was the one saga of the summer that actually had legs.
Reigning Championship Player of the Season, a fee that could stretch to £25m, and the only one of the four that genuinely changes what this midfield looks like.
Four in. Thirty-four days left. Somebody tell Moyes the clock’s not stopping for him.
And if you’re wondering why we’ve occasionally jumped on a rumour that turned out to be nothing this summer — well, now you know.
Four confirmed signings in forty-five days doesn’t exactly fill a website. When the actual news dries up, the temptation to run with “sources say” starts looking a lot more reasonable than it should.
We’re trying to hold the line. Some days it’s harder than others.
