Everton Football Club has concluded the 2026 summer transfer window with a diminished squad, drawing scrutiny over the ambitions of its owners, The Friedkin Group (TFG). Manager David Moyes faces mounting challenges as he prepares for the Premier League season with fewer players and the departure of key personnel.
During the window, Everton’s outfield player numbers decreased from 22 last season to as low as 17 or 19, depending on pending negotiations. One of the most notable exits was that of influential midfielder Iliman Ndiaye, who transferred to Manchester City for a fee reported to reach £65 million. Moyes had previously stated that only an "absolutely outrageous" offer would prompt a sale, but the deal fell short of this criterion according to observers. The City move, although significant financially, was deemed unsatisfactory given the club’s lack of adequate replacements at the time.
Further controversy surrounded the proposed sale of homegrown talent Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest for £35 million. The deal was reportedly halted following backlash from supporters, highlighting tensions between the management’s financial strategy and fan expectations. This episode has intensified questions about TFG's long-term commitment to competitive success, nearly two years after acquiring the club.
According to fan analysis shared publicly, The Friedkin Group appears focused on maintaining a cost-efficient club structure that prioritizes financial compliance and asset appreciation over on-field ambition. Despite concerns, TFG injected £13.8 million in late July for infrastructural improvements, including work on Hill Dickinson Stadium, the training ground at Finch Farm, and Goodison Park, now home to Everton Women’s team. Additionally, the club made a £40 million payment related to a legal dispute with Burnley over breaches of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules for the 2021-22 season. The case is currently under appeal.
Everton’s CEO, Angus Kinnear, recently described the previous season’s end as a “failure,” noting the team dropped out of potential European qualification following a winless streak exacerbated by injuries and inconsistent performances. With the club’s squad reduced and concerns about depth mounting, Moyes’ role is seen as increasingly difficult, with some questioning the realism of targeting European competition under these conditions.
Incoming transfers include the hoped-for additions of Folarin Balogun and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, alongside Cristian Norgaard, Hayden Hackney, and Brennan Johnson. Some loan moves, such as Jack Grealish’s return and the permanent signings of Merlin Röhl and Tyrique George, have been completed. However, Balogun’s potential £40 million transfer from Monaco faced delays due to medical concerns, prompting Everton to explore alternatives like Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee and Aston Villa’s Tammy Abraham.
The transfer activity reflects broader Premier League trends, including significant spending by newly promoted clubs aiming to secure top-flight status and record transfer fees driven by competition for in-demand positions such as strikers. Financial regulations like the Profitability and Sustainability Rules and new squad cost ratio limits aim to control excessive expenditure.
David Moyes, in the final year of his contract, has faced criticism from some supporters after raising questions about whether Everton’s immediate goal should be Premier League survival rather than chasing trophies. His comments highlight the balancing act confronting the club amid uncertainty over both resources and direction. With a reduced and potentially vulnerable squad, Moyes’ capacity to deliver success may depend heavily on maintaining player fitness and maximizing the performances of key contributors like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jarrad Branthwaite.