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Everton's two priority signings revealed with loan-to-buy on the cards

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Published on:

18 Apr 2026, 7:44 am

Everton will have a limited transfer budget for the upcoming summer window as their accelerate new signing plans, sources have told Football Insider.

The Merseyside club are prioritising a new central midfielder and a centre-forward as they begin putting together shortlists for the 2026-27 campaign.

However, budget restrictions mean that loan-to-buy deals are more likely than big-money captures.

David Moyes’ side are currently fighting for European football this season, and could still achieve Champions League qualification.

However, Everton now face a tricky transfer window as they begin preparations for the new campaign.

Everton look to bolster squad numbers

With Everton well in the race for European football, as long as they keep up their form, a return is likely next season.

Going into game week 33, the Toffees sit eighth in the Premier League, with this spot expected to deliver Conference League football, depending on who wins the FA Cup.

Teams who have used the least players in the Premier League this season	Amount
Everton	22
Liverpool	23
Arsenal	24
Fulham	24
Leeds United	24
Brentford	24

Moyes has not used many players this season in the Premier League

However, with only goal difference separating them and Brentford, Everton could easily push into the Europa League places in the coming weeks.

If this is achieved, Everton would likely need to bolster their squad numbers.

As it stands, Moyes has only used 22 players in the Premier League this season, the least in the division.

Therefore, this will need to increase if they are to stand any chance of balancing their domestic football alongside their European ambitions.

Which strikers are Everton linked with?

Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Everton are interested in Ivan Toney ahead of the summer transfer window.

The former Brentford star is currently at Al-Ahli and has scored 27 goals in 27 matches in the Saudi Pro League this season.

Everton are keen to land the 30-year-old as he is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League, having netted 20 times in his last full season in the division.

While Al-Ahli have no intentions of letting Toney go in the summer transfer window, the striker remains open to the idea of returning to the English top-flight at this stage of his career.

Currently, the England international is contracted at the Saudi side until 2028, and his age has now closed the door on a move to England’s elite clubs.

However, it remains to be seen if Everton are able to pull off the deal, given their current transfer budget restrictions heading into the summer window.

Everton FC