Everton in the race to sign “world-class” £25m star

Everton have entered the summer transfer window with a clear mission: reinvigorate their squad after a campaign that demanded both patience and pragmatism.

The club has already made notable additions, including Carlos Alcaraz, whose loan from Flamengo has been made permanent, Thierno Barry from Villarreal, and a headline-grabbing move for Jack Grealish from Manchester City.

This flurry of activity comes amid a period of departures, as several senior players have left on free transfers, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucouré, and Ashley Young.

These exits have created opportunities for the Toffees to bring in Premier League talent seeking a fresh start.

Moyes appears to be targeting players who, much like Grealish, have been cast out or underutilised at bigger clubs and now need a platform to reignite their careers.

The player in question offers a blend of defensive tenacity and midfield intelligence, and, like Grealish, he represents a gamble but could be someone who could transform the spine of a team when given the right environment and playing time.

Everton eyeing move for Spurs midfielder

According to Sacha Tavolieri, Yves Bissouma is the midfielder at the centre of Everton’s interest, a player who has found himself on the fringes at Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs paid £25m to acquire him from Brighton in 2022, but the midfielder has struggled to consistently secure a starting spot.

Despite these challenges, pundits like Adam Smithy have lauded Bissouma as “world-class,” praising his ability to control the game from midfield and break up opposition attacks.

Football Insider revealed that Tottenham are unlikely to stand in his way this summer, but any move will depend on the club finding a suitable replacement.

Spurs have already invested heavily in Mohammed Kudu, who joined from West Ham United for £60m. Additionally, Spurs have secured Palhinha on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich and are eyeing Atlético Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, who could potentially be available for around £40 million, although Madrid are reportedly reluctant to sell.

At Tottenham, Bissouma has competed with Rodrigo Bentancur, Archie Gray, and Pape Sarr in a crowded central midfield.

For Everton, Bissouma represents the chance to acquire a Premier League-proven midfielder who is hungry to prove himself again.

His contract at Spurs runs until summer 2026, meaning Tottenham will want to recoup part of their £25m investment rather than risk losing him for nothing.

Why he could be a Jack Grealish repeat

The parallels between Bissouma and Jack Grealish are striking.

Both players arrived at their respective clubs with strong reputations, only to find themselves needing a fresh start to reach their full potential.

Grealish, who joined Everton from Manchester City, faced limited game time at City and struggled with injuries, ultimately playing just 721 minutes last season, representing 21.1% of squad minutes, per Transfermarkt.

Thomas Tuchel reportedly told him he needed regular football to maintain his World Cup ambitions, prompting the move to Goodison Park. Similarly, Bissouma has the capability to dominate matches when given trust and continuity.

Over 100 appearances for Spurs, he has contributed six goals and three assists while maintaining exceptional defensive metrics: 91st percentile for tackles (3.09 per 90), 83rd percentile for interceptions (1.39 per 90), and 92nd percentile for clearances (2.65 per 90), per FBref.

He also boasts a 83rd percentile pass completion rate of 88.6%, highlighting his dual ability to break up attacks and distribute effectively.

Bissouma’s profile evokes comparisons with Boubakar Kamara and Edson Álvarez, two players who provide balance in the centre of the park and thrive in roles where they can cover ground, intercept play, and initiate transitions.

Age is another factor that favours Everton’s pursuit.

At 28, Bissouma combines maturity with peak athleticism, offering immediate value rather than a long-term developmental gamble.

Furthermore, Everton’s summer recruitment strategy reflects a clear intention to blend experience and ambition.

With departures opening up space for new arrivals, the club is seeking players who have Premier League experience and can make an immediate contribution.

Bissouma fits this mould perfectly. His experience in England’s top-flight, combined with European competition exposure at Spurs, ensures he arrives ready to adapt and lead.

For a player already acclimated to Premier League demands, this represents a low-risk, high-reward investment, just like Grealish.

Finally, Bissouma’s move could serve as a statement of intent.

Everton are signalling that they are prepared to offer players a platform to succeed, encouraging other talented professionals seeking a new start to consider Goodison Park as a destination where their abilities will be maximised.