Everton Season Review: Likely Transfer Departures

While arriving players tend to get the bulk of the media attention, Everton will need to do their fair share of selling this summer. With no European competition upcoming, Marcel Brands and Marco Silva have talked about trimming down a bloated squad by about a dozen players.

Today we will look at players that are likely to leave Everton during the summer transfer window.

Wayne Rooney

Rooney’s departure for D.C. United of Major League Soccer appears to be all but completed. Several reliable British and American publications have reported that a deal has been agreed to between the teams and both sides are waiting on Rooney to give the final go-ahead.

Rooney returning to Everton was a feel good story at the start of the year but as the season deteriorated it was clear that Rooney was not the right player to lift this team out of mediocrity. Rooney’s departure would go a long way in clearing up an already crowded Everton midfield.

Morgan Schneiderlin

We reported Tuesday that Morgan Schneiderlin could be one of the next Everton players to leave the club. This move would surprise few as Schneiderlin has struggled mightily since leaving Southampton back in 2015. The midfielder has failed to live up to his sizable transfer fee and has drawn the ire of supporters for his perceived lack of effort.

Schneiderlin’s departure could also allow for younger players such as Tom Davies and Beni Baningime to get real first team minutes. Everton have a talented young core, it’s time they start to play more.

Kevin Mirallas

Mirallas’ departure is all but guaranteed at this point. With complaints about his attitude and a lack of playing time hanging over him at Everton, he was loaned to his old club Olympiakos where he also failed to have an impact. Whether he is sold, loaned or simply released, don’t expect to see Mirallas in an Everton kit any time soon.

Sandro Ramirez

After arriving with high expectations, Sandro struggled to adjust to the Premier League. His siutation was not helped by the drama surrounding Ronald Koeman, but Sandro was never able to make an impact during his brief time at Everton. He was sent on loan to Sevilla in January and made it clear he had no desire to return to Everton. Expect the new regime to grant him his wish as he will likely return to La Liga.

Davy Klaassen

I would personally love to see Klaassen get another shot at Everton, but odds are he won’t. Everton’s midfield is bloated and I suspect Everton’s new regime have no interest in waiting another season to see if Klaassen can adjust to to life in England. Given his youth and relative upside, it would not be surprising to see a number of clubs outside of England compete for his signature.

Miscellaneous

Joel Robles is out of contract, out of favor and heading back to Spain. Maarten Steklenberg may remain as the main back-up for Jordan Pickford, but there has been no solid reporting on the matter.

Editor’s Note: Everton announced yesterday that Joel would be leaving the club with his contract ending.

I would not be the least bit surprised if there was some serious changes in the back line. Everton’s defense has been a consistent weakness and some of the under-performers could be shown the door. Players like Ashley Williams and Ramiro Funes Mori stand out as the most likely candidates.

Additionally, Oumar Niasse is the latest player to be rumored to leave as Cardiff City is interested in his services as is Galatasaray in Turkey.

As many as 12 players are rumored to be on the way out, so expect Brands and company to be very busy this summer.