Everton’s transfer activity during the 2026 summer window has drawn widespread criticism amid a scramble that left manager David Moyes with a significantly depleted squad heading into the new season. The club ended the window with just 18 senior outfield players and only one specialist striker, Thierno Barry, after a high-profile deal to bring in Monaco’s Folarin Balogun collapsed at the last moment.
The transfer window turmoil unfolded amid frustrations over the departures of key players. Senegal international Iliman Ndiaye was sold to Manchester City for £65 million, a figure some supporters and analysts consider below his market value given his three-year contract remaining. Meanwhile, Harrison Armstrong, a highly rated academy graduate and seen as a vital prospect, was nearly sold to Nottingham Forest for £40 million before a fan backlash pressured the club into reconsidering. Beto, the only backup striker, also left for Fiorentina, leaving Everton light in attack.
Owners The Friedkin Group (TFG), who took over the club in December 2024, have been accused by supporters and observers of a cautious, unambitious approach that contrasts with previous management eras. Although the group brought financial stability following a turbulent period under former owner Farhad Moshiri, their net spending—estimated at around £65 million over three transfer windows—has been described as insufficient for a club aiming to return to European competition.
Everton’s chief executive, Angus Kinnear, had publicly characterized the owners as “winners” and last season as a “failure” due to the team falling short of qualifying for continental football. However, fans and commentators have challenged this messaging, pointing to the inability to adequately strengthen the squad this summer despite Moyes’s vocal calls for reinforcements. The leadership team, comprising the technical director, director of scouting and recruitment, director of football strategy and analytics, and head of player trading, has faced scrutiny for its handling of targets and late-stage negotiations during the window.
Several factors contributed to the chaotic close of the transfer period. Balogun’s move fell through after the striker reportedly failed a medical and then withdrew despite signing a deal sheet. Everton also made a last-minute unsuccessful attempt to secure Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee on loan. The persistent right-back issue was only resolved reluctantly with the signing of Ainsley Maitland-Niles for £4 million, a position he does not naturally occupy.
Veteran midfielder Christian Nørgaard was brought in for £7 million but remains sidelined due to injury. Conversely, the late loan return of Jack Grealish was seen as a positive amid the uncertainty. Moyes’s contract situation adds to the unsettled atmosphere, as he enters the last year of his deal without clarity on an extension.
The unfolding situation has sparked discontent among Everton supporters. The club’s fan advisory board and the volunteer group known as the 1878s issued statements condemning the club’s lack of ambition and professionalism in the transfer dealings. The supporters’ groups expressed a sense of disconnect between the club’s plans and the fanbase’s expectations, with some withdrawing active support in protest.
Everton began the season brightly on the pitch, but lingering concerns about squad depth and leadership continue to cloud the outlook. The Friedkin Group and senior executives face a challenging task to rebuild trust and deliver on ambitions in an environment fans perceive as increasingly constrained. For Moyes, the circumstances suggest another campaign fraught with challenges under a leadership structure that many see as struggling to provide consistent backing.