Though he hasn’t come cheap, there’s no question that Everton manager David Moyes has pulled off an impressive signing in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
A strong and slick central midfielder, the 26-year-old joins the Toffees from Chelsea for an initial £24m fee, which may rise to £28m with add-ons.
Moyes is packaging his squad with quality after overseeing a resurgence on Merseyside, replacing the stricken Sean Dyche in January. Many have left, and arrivals are filtering through as Everton prepare for life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
More, it must be said, is needed. And the Friedkin Group are aiming to bid, with one of the Premier League’s most prominent stars in talks to sign this month.
Everton planning more moves
The Athletic’s David Ornstein has confirmed Everton are in talks with Manchester City to sign Jack Grealish on loan. The 29-year-old has been told he does not feature in Pep Guardiola’s plans, but his £300k-per-week wage poses a problem.
Grealish has become a bit-part player over the past two years, which is rueful for those of a Citizen persuasion, given he joined for a British-record £100m fee back in 2021.
Still, the 29-year-old is fleet-footed and inspiring, and would raise the creative bar at Everton.
But he’s not the only one. According to Football Insider, Everton are still pushing hard for Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, despite having seen a second bid worth £40m rejected.
Football Insider’s report reveals Saints have commenced talks with West Bromwich Albion for Tom Fellows, which indicates a willingness to sign a replacement for their 19-year-old prodigy.
What Tyler Dibling would bring to Everton
Dibling has been named a “world-class talent” by Southampton’s academy manager, Andy Goldie, and though the south coast club endured a painful 2024/25 campaign, relegated from the Premier League with a whimper, he still shone brightly. ​​​​​​
Having notched four goals and three assists across all competitions, Dibling showed signs of clinical potential, ranked among the 19% of positional peers in the Premier League last season for pass completion and the top 13% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
His successful take-ons, in particular, indicate an athletic quality that could rival Grealish’s down the line, perhaps with both under Moyes’ wing.
Considered by retired pro Stuart Pearce to be cut from the same cloth as Grealish, some might feel it’s a case of one or the other, but given that Grealish plays off the left and the Saints youngster is more often placed on the right, the two could combine to add some newfound flair to Moyes’ Everton.
|
Tyler Dibling – Southampton Stats by Position (24/25) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Apps |
Goals |
Assists |
|
Right winger |
13 |
1 |
0 |
|
Attacking midfield |
7 |
1 |
2 |
|
Centre-forward |
5 |
2 |
1 |
|
Right wing-back |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Stats via Transfermarkt |
|||
Grealish is widely regarded as one of the most skilful midfielders the Premier League has witnessed in recent years, and in his final season at Aston Villa, he averaged a jaw-dropping 8.9 duels per game and won 64% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.
Though Iliman Ndiaye already holds down the fort imperiously on Everton’s left flank, there’s a sense at times that the all-inspiring Senegalese brings qualities to the table that few, if any, of his teammates can match.
In Grealish and Dibling, Everton would land two stars with a similar capacity to thrill and lift fans from their seats.
Whether the Blues manage to pull both deals off remains to be seen, but with Thierno Barry having replaced Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the front of the ship, such athletic playmakers could dynamise Moyes’ project.
Only time, as ever, will tell if Everton’s Director of Football, Angus Kinnear, can get the moves completed.
