Everton are stepping into a new era at Bramley-Moore Moore-dock, and David Moyes will be delighted with his team’s progress since replacing Sean Dyche in the dugout.
Moyes saved a sinking ship, sealing a comfortable 13th-place Premier League finish despite the Toffees’ relegation fears when he joined in January.
Change is afoot. The Blues are ready to bring in a raft of additions as they step into a new home, but outgoings are also to be expected; Charly Alcaraz is in the process of becoming a permanent member of Moyes’ squad, but the rest of the loanees will depart next month.
The futures of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Michael Keane and Seamus Coleman are uncertain at this time, with the veterans, who combine to earn £235k per week, all just one month away from free agency.
Incomings are expected. While Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap is the most exciting name on The Friedkin Group’s radar right now, he’s not the only one on the list, with an audacious deal for Liverpool prospect Ben Doak also being explored.
Everton looking at two Liverpool players this summer
The Times have revealed that while Everton have pitched their project to Delap, who is set to leave the relegated Tractor Boys this summer, internal talks have also been held regarding a move for Scotland international Doak, who Liverpool value at £30m.
This, it goes without saying, would be a tricky one to navigate. Liverpool and Everton are fierce local rivals, the last direct transfer between the two clubs dating back to January 2002, when Abel Xavier left Goodison Park to join Liverpool in a deal south of £1m.
Doak, heading the other direction, would mark a bigger move indeed, with former Scotland manager Craig Levein even saying, “this kid could be a world-class player.”
Doak has been out injured with a hamstring issue sustained in February but made his mark beforehand, notching ten goal involvements from 24 Championship fixtures. With Jack Harrison set for release, he could prove a huge upgrade.
Though it’s difficult to compare Championship metrics with those in the top division, peering at Doak’s campaign when lined against Harrison’s, you begin to understand the electric upgrade Moyes would score, with the Scottish teenager also sharpening a skill set that could produce prolific results at the highest level in the future.
Matches (starts)
34 (24)
24 (21)
Goals
1
3
Assists
1
7
Shots (on target)*
0.9 (0.2)
1.1 (0.6)
Pass completion
73%
84%
Key passes*
1.0
1.9
Dribbles*
0.7
1.5
Ball recoveries*
2.1
2.8
Tackles + interceptions*
1.2
1.3
Duels won*
2.6
3.8
And Doak isn’t even the only Reds talent on Moyes’ radar, with another Liverpool up-and-comer being considered.
According to Caught Offside, Everton are one of five clubs who are keen on signing Reds defender Jarell Quansah this summer.
They have now learned what they will need to pay if they are to sign the centre-back in the coming months, with Liverpool placing a £29m price tag on the central defender.
A host of Premier League clubs are interested in the 22-year-old, while Borussia Dortmund and, in particular, Bayer Leverkusen are also keen.
Why Quansah would be a "monster" for Moyes
The English talent is highly rated but has struggled for minutes under Arne Slot’s wing this season, and while a rogue shout, Everton could provide him with a star role without the need to relocate.
However, Quansah has certainly made his name known over the past few years, having now earned 58 senior appearances for the Reds, winning the Carabao Cup and the Premier League.
Though the 6 foot 5 talent’s displays this term have left something to be desired, his potential is incontrovertible. In fact, if Quansah were to move to Everton, develop his defensive principles through Moyes’ coaching while working on his impressive technical ability, he may well find himself rivalling Jarrad Branthwaite for the crown as Everton’s star centre-back.
In 2023/24, Branthwaite took to life as a Premier League regular seamlessly, leading Manchester United to consider a £75m bid for Everton’s colossus and prompting talent scout Jacek Kulig to hail him as an “absolute monster.”
Well, Kulig also described Quansah as a “monster” of a centre-back for his emergence in Jurgen Klopp’s system that same term, with his metrics underscoring his value as a prototypical modern centre-half.
As per FBref, Quansah ranked among the top 3% of Premier League defenders in 2023/24 for goals, the top 4% for passes attempted, the top 15% for progressive passes, the top 11% for aerial duels won and the top 4% for tackles won per 90, emphasising his roundedness.
Branthwaite, conversely, has struggled to showcase the scope of his ball-playing skills, hemmed in as he is in a counter-attacking system. This is partly why he has reportedly considered leaving Everton in recent months, for he has been overlooked by Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel once again.
Would Quansah entertain a controversial move to the blue half of Merseyside? Only time will tell. But Everton could do with such a player, bringing a complete skill set into the defensive fold, crucial as Michael Keane supposedly gears up to depart.
After more than two decades without any direct business between the two Merseyside giants, it seems unlikely that Liverpool would entertain the sales of two of their biggest prospects in the same transfer window.
But then, Liverpool are gearing up for a summer spending spree, and Everton could boldly take advantage, securing two talented stars who could shape Moyes’ project over the coming years.
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