Everton have come out of the summer transfer window with a major issue to address, while Football Insider, via GMS, claims David Moyes could contemplate leaving the club before his current contract expires. The report suggests tensions have grown between the manager and Everton’s hierarchy, with no discussions over a new deal scheduled and frustration surrounding the club’s handling of deadline day.
Moyes was keen to add further attacking options, but Everton allowed both Iliman Ndiaye and Beto to leave without bringing in an experienced replacement. A proposed £40m deal for Folarin Balogun fell through late in the window following concerns over his medical and alterations to the terms, while a potential return for Richarlison also failed to materialise. As a result, Thierno Barry is now the club’s only senior striker, leaving Moyes with a significant weakness as he looks to build a competitive squad.
Everton have created an avoidable problem
Moyes is understandably frustrated by the situation. He had made it clear that additional depth was required, only to see important attacking options depart as the transfer deadline approached. Jack Grealish joined on loan and Ainsley Maitland-Niles arrived on a permanent deal, but neither move addressed Everton’s lack of depth at centre-forward.
The manager’s frustration is further highlighted by his relationship with the club’s ownership. Moyes recently revealed that he has not had a direct conversation with owner Dan Friedkin during his 20 months back at Goodison Park, with chief executive Angus Kinnear and Rishi Majithia serving as his primary points of contact. That arrangement is unusual for a manager who ultimately carries responsibility for the team’s results.
Everton cannot afford another managerial upheaval
Moyes should remain in charge, with Everton’s priority being to repair the relationship rather than trigger yet another change in the dugout. Since returning in January 2025, his record stands at 22 wins, 18 draws and 19 defeats from 59 matches, demonstrating that he has provided a degree of consistency during a challenging period.
Four points from Everton’s opening two league matches offered an encouraging start, but the squad now appears weaker than it needed to be. Expecting Moyes to compete with just one senior striker after the departures of Beto and Ndiaye has created an unnecessary headache, particularly after the club made an effort to pursue Balogun but ultimately failed to get the transfer over the line.
There is also a bigger issue at play. Recruitment disagreements are inevitable at football clubs, but a repeated disconnect between what a manager believes his team needs and the decisions made by executives can quickly damage trust. That becomes even more problematic when the manager is left to shoulder the pressure every matchday.
Moyes clearly retains affection for Everton, and his recent comments indicate that he is not currently looking to walk away. However, the club’s hierarchy must recognise the importance of rebuilding that relationship. Allowing the manager to feel isolated after such a frustrating transfer window would be difficult to justify.
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