With the transfer window set to close next week, Everton FC correspondent Joe Thomas has answered the latest questions from readers on recruitment. The Blues have made five signings so far this summer, but David Moyes is adamant more work needs to be done to challenge for a return to Europe.
Will Jack Grealish return to Everton?
Thomas believes Everton will get Jack Grealish back if they decide they want him, provided they can make that decision quickly enough to maintain their headstart on him. Everton have remained in contact with the player and his camp all summer, with a move in the final moments of the window always looking likely.
Manchester City want to ensure they are happy to lose him - he has played twice already under Enzo Maresca, and the club has just sold attacking players Savinho and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham Hotspur. City would also like money if they can get it. Everton have needed to ensure his recovery from the injury that ended last season prematurely has been recovered from, and it looks good on that front.
Moyes loved having him at the club, the Friedkins understood the morale boost he provided, and Grealish became attached to the club, shown by his continued interaction with the Blues' Instagram posts. Thomas suggests there is enough there for Everton to be in pole position should they want to do a deal. However, he notes that Moyes said on Friday that no decision had been made on the playmaker yet, and Grealish's arrival could impede the growth of Tyler Dibling and Tyrique George, who have both had good summers.
If Iliman Ndiaye does end up at City, Thomas would expect Grealish to come to Everton - partly to help grease the wheels of the Ndiaye sale, but also because he is the most talented wide player readily available should they lose the Senegal international.
Could Iliman Ndiaye leave for Manchester City?
Thomas thinks Ndiaye would like to go to Manchester City, provided the circumstances are right. He is ambitious, wants to test himself on the highest stage, win trophies and play in the Champions League. That personal ambition helped stymie Al-Hilal's pursuit earlier in the summer, and his rejection of fresh terms by Everton earlier this year was largely around his desire for it to be straightforward if a major power came in for him.
Moyes does not want to lose him, and Everton hold plenty of cards, so Man City would have to work hard for a deal. But it is clearly possible given what the club can offer Everton and the player. Thomas stresses he has no reason to believe Ndiaye has any negativity towards Everton - he likes the club and is grateful for the opportunity provided by the Blues after a tough stint in Marseille.
What signings are needed before Tuesday?
One reader, Lee, believes the team is four players away from being a top-eight team, needing a left-back, a centre-back, a striker and Jack Grealish back. Thomas agrees the team is around four signings away from being a team that 'should' challenge for Europe, but says the starting point has to be a right-back. He struggles to see a scenario where a new right-back is not signed, though he has been saying that all summer.
Thomas suspects the rest depends on whether outgoings are also secured. Movement up front would likely depend on a suitor being found for Beto, while Nathan Patterson, Carlos Alcaraz and Tim Iroegbunam could all yet depart. One to watch will be Jake O'Brien - Everton have not received a bid at the time of writing. Thomas thinks keeping him is essential to the development of this side, but there appears to be a willingness to discuss his future that surprises him. He would need replacing, should he be sold.
Which U21 players could go out on loan?
Thomas wouldn't be surprised if some of the U21s head out on loan, but time is running out and the Football League season is now well underway. He spoke to David Hughes about this - specifically about Braiden Graham and the loan situation more generally. Hughes essentially said decisions would be taken on a case-by-case basis in terms of what is best for each player's development.
Several of the players are open to loans, but the market is moving quite slowly at the minute. There is also a desire at Finch Farm to have a strong U21s this season, and given how small the first team squad currently is, there may be an argument to keep some to help their development through training with the first team. Thomas suggests Will Tamen, George Pickford, Eli Campbell, Braiden Graham, Joel Catesby, Jack Patterson, George Finney and Omari Benjamin would be good players to go out, and Harvey Foster is ready for a step-up too.
