Everton’s likely departures this summer transfer window

You’re probably tired of hearing the word ‘bloated’ being constantly bandied about whenever Everton’s squad is mentioned, but it’s only because it’s true.

Thanks to some reckless spending during recent transfer windows along with poor succession planning, the Blues are loaded with mediocre talent at a number of positions and it’s only been in the last year that active measures are being taken to rectify that situation.

Director of Football Marcel Brands always knew coming into his role that this would be the first thing he would have to tackle, and despite his best efforts last season to offload many of those players, he was only able to procure loans for some of the worst.

With the 2019 summer transfer window now open, you can expect there to be more outgoing activity from Finch Farm than incoming. Here’s who we think will be leaving the club this summer, though it’s difficult to say who goes on loan and who can be sold outright for pennies on the pound.

The following senior squad names are sorted by when their current contracts expire -

2018-19

Three players on this list, and two have already confirmed their exits.

Phil Jagielka

The club captain released a statement on his Instagram account, thanking the club and the fans for his 12 years at Everton. There’s been no mention of where he heads next, or if he’ll be hanging up his boots or even start working on his coaching badges. As the longest-tenured player at the club his leadership and veteran savvy will be missed.

Leighton Baines

The second-longest tenured player at the club has reportedly been offered a one-year extension, and word is that he’s about to accept the deal when he gets back from holiday. As we’ve noted here previously, he’d be certainly useful to keep around for one more season to backup Lucas Digne and a continue to be a stable presence in the dressing room.

Ashley Williams

The Wales captain also sees his deal expire, and is looking forward to testing new waters. There has been no talk of Stoke City keeping him on where he finished his loan this season, but MLS club D.C. United where former teammate Wayne Rooney is captain has been rumoured as a destination.

2019-20

Maarten Stekelenburg

Highly-thought of by Marco Silva and with a year left on his deal, he’ll likely stay on as the third goalkeeper for the Blues. Could leave though if a good offer comes in to return to the Netherlands.

Brendan Galloway

The fullback has no future with the senior team, but got plenty of playing time and a winners medal with the Under-23 side. Failed on his last two loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland. Is there a Championship or League One side out there who will take a chance on him? If not, he stays with Dave Unsworth’s side and is released this time next season.

Luke Garbutt

Another fullback who has no future with the club. Garbutt did decently enough at Oxford United in League One, featuring in 36 games, scoring 4 goals with 8 assists. The fans there appear to want him back and the Blues would do well to get anything for him.

Cuco Martina

Saw his loan to Stoke City cut short halfway through the season for him to be sent out to his boyhood club Feyenoord. There he played in 12 games from January on, slotting in both at rightback and centrehalf as needed as the Rotterdam team finished third, eighteen points adrift of PSV Eindhoven in second and Ajax Amsterdam a further three points clear. If the Dutch side need him for their Europa League campaign next season, he should be available.

James McCarthy

The Republic of Ireland midfielder managed just fourteen minutes this season, despite being passed as fit to play for about half the year following his horrendous leg-break last season. Crystal Palace, Celtic and about half a dozen other teams were interested in his services in January, wouldn’t be surprised to see him move to any one of those sides.

Kevin Mirallas

Second straight loan spell where he has been underwhelming. Fiorentina were close to relegation in Serie A, are a club in transition and about to be bought. Our sister blog Viola Nation didn’t think he did enough with his 2 goals and 3 assists in 30 appearances to warrant the new owner to spend about €7 million for him, so that’s a bad sign. At £70,000/wk, no clue how Marcel Brands will dispose of the winger.

Oumar Niasse

Had a big chance to make an impression at a Premier League side struggling to find goals. However, in the thirteen games he played for Cardiff City, just like at Everton, he showed plenty of effort with no end product to show for it. Once relegation was confirmed with a couple of weeks to go, he dropped out of the squad completely. Will there be a Turkish side willing to take a gamble on the forward?

Shani Tarashaj

If there ever was a candidate to have a contract terminated then the Swiss forward would be it. In and out of a struggling Grasshopper squad, he even managed to get himself suspended and then dropped down to the fourth tier of Swiss football (!!) where he finally scored one goal in three games. Looks like he has finally found his level.

2020-21

Matthew Pennington

Bizarre how Everton gave him a new three-year deal last summer, especially when it was quite clear that he wasn’t Premier League level. Had a decent enough season at Ipswich Town, but his side never got out of the drop zone all season long and were relegated. Unlikely they’ll shell out anything to pursue the defender now that they’re in League One. Is there another Championship side that could be interested in his services - Stoke City, Derby County and Wigan Athletic have all been mentioned.

Morgan Schneiderlin

The midfielder ended the season strong, but if Brands is serious about trimming the payroll, then it’s unlikely he keeps on a £100,000/wk backup. Then again, unless Schneiderlin takes a paycut to go back to France like he has indicated in the past, it looks like he stays at the Blues.

Muhamed Besic

Another serviceable midfielder who is perfect for the Championship. The Middlesbrough fans have taken to the Bosnian, and Everton should entertain any offers they make for him.

Kieran Dowell

The attacking midfielder did well in the half-season he spent at Sheffield United as they gained promotion to the Premier League. If they are interested in taking him on loan again that would be perfect exposure for the youngster who will struggle to find opportunities at Everton to play regularly.

Ademola Lookman

While there have been no transfer rumours for the young winger so far, he has to be displeased with the treatment he’s had from Silva this season. He can be a difference-maker, but appears to have angered the manager with his attitude in training. Will there be another series of bids from RB Leipzig for him this summer?

Yannick Bolasie

Did well at Anderlecht in the half season he spent there, scoring 6 goals with 3 assists for their sixth-placed finish. His £75,000/wk wages would make him one of the highest paid players in Belgium, if Anderlecht can even afford that with no European football on their horizon. Maybe another loan to a Premier League or Championship side?

Theo Walcott

Everton appear to be looking at younger wingers this summer, and if any one of Bertrand Traore, Cengiz Ünder or even Malcom end up coming in, it surely spells the end for Walcott. Will there be a lower-placed Premier League side willing to take a chance on him and his £100,000/wk wages?

Sandro Ramirez

There’s no hope for the forward. Made 26 appearances for Real Sociedad and came away with absolutely nothing to show for it. His £65,000/wk salary is too high for most Spanish sides, how will Everton ever get rid of this deadweight?

2021-22

Beni Baningime

From being heralded as the successor to Idrissa Gueye to disappearing into the obscurity of Wigan’s squad. He played in one game a week after joining the Latics, and then was never in the matchday squad again, what went on there? He desperately needs consistent playing time, another loan likely on the cards for the midfielder.

Nikola Vlasic

Vlasic could certainly be the backup for Gylfi Sigurdsson, but having been a regular starter at CSKA Moscow, would he settle for that again? His party certainly don’t sound like they are interested in a return to Everton, in which case a summer sale might be for the best.

Cenk Tosun

Despite the player saying all the right things about staying, if Everton sign a Premier League calibre striker this summer then he will certainly leave, with plenty of offers back in Turkey for him. His injury on international duty last week complicates affairs as it looks like he’ll miss a big part of Everton’s preseason now.