Everton manager David Moyes is examining the free agents market after his team ended the summer transfer window with a severely limited squad. The club has just one senior striker available and only 18 outfield players at senior level, creating a challenging situation ahead of their Premier League campaign.
Moyes addressed the situation in a press conference on Friday, expressing disappointment with how the transfer period concluded. "I’m disappointed we didn’t do more business and that things didn’t go our way in the end," the manager said. Everton's striking options took a significant hit when Beto departed for Fiorentina during the summer, and a late move for United States international Folarin Balogun collapsed. The Athletic reported that Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro claimed Everton raised concerns over Balogun's medical late on deadline day, leading the 25-year-old to withdraw from the transfer.
Why is Everton's squad so thin?
The club's current predicament stems from several factors. Everton generated approximately £100 million in the final days of the transfer window through player sales. Iliman Ndiaye joined Manchester City in a £65 million deal, while Tim Iroegbunam moved to Hull City for an initial £15 million plus potential add-ons worth £7 million. Moyes admitted he was reluctant to lose players from an already thin group, but the financial realities forced the club's hand.
This leaves Thierno Barry as the only senior number nine on the books. Moyes described his overall squad as "really small," stating he has just 18 senior outfield players available until at least the January window. Players will need to "muck in" across multiple positions to cover the shortages. You can view the full current roster on our squad page.
What are Everton's options now?
With the transfer window closed, Moyes confirmed the club is looking at available free agents. "We’re looking at the free agents’ market but I want a team that can be at the top end and can challenge," he stated. This search becomes more urgent given the lack of depth.
Internal solutions appear limited. Academy forward Braiden Graham, an 18-year-old from Northern Ireland, spent most of the summer training with the first team after prolific performances in the youth ranks. The 5ft 9in forward is not seen as a central option, however. Moyes believes it would be a tough ask for any young player to contribute regular Premier League goals and sees Graham more likely to play off the sides if called upon.
How does this affect Everton's season start?
The squad issues come as Everton have made a solid start to the 2026-27 Premier League season. They sit seventh in the table with four points from their opening two games, recording one win and one draw. Their recent form reads DW, and they have scored three goals while conceding just one, giving them a +2 goal difference. They are currently two points behind league leaders Manchester City.
This context makes Sunday's home fixture against Manchester United particularly significant. United are tenth in the table, and the match on September 6 represents an early test of Everton's resilience. The club's fixtures list shows a challenging schedule ahead. Several prominent fan groups have already criticised the club's summer planning and recruitment, with the Fans' Forum voicing concerns after the window closed.
What is the ownership situation?
Moyes revealed he has not yet spoken to owners The Friedkin Group about their plans following the transfer window. This comes after The Athletic reported on Thursday that the ownership was seeking minority investment into Everton. The manager will need to work with the resources he has for the immediate future.
Everton's next challenge is this weekend's match against Manchester United at Goodison Park. The game kicks off on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
