Everton are closing in on sealing their best signing since Ndiaye

At Everton for the second time, David Moyes has his doubters – and that’s despite taking

That’s also without considering the Scotsman’s previous decade of service on Merseyside, crafting a dynasty at Goodison Park and taking Everton on a number of European adventures.

But football is fickle, and fans rarely live in the past. The 2024/25 campaign had its ups and downs, but the Toffees didn’t hit the same beats as the year before, when Moyes replaced Sean Dyche and initiated sweeping improvements.

The Premier League hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground for Everton in recent years, but they have a real chance to escape from the lower-table wilderness this summer, should Moyes and Everton executive Angus Kinnear nail their transfer strategy.

Everton in talks for Premier League legend

There is work to be done at Everton. Moyes’ side need to sign a natural right-back, replacing Jake O’Brien there, while adding quality and dynamism in midfield.

Many would point toward attack as the area in need of the greatest work. Thierno Barry and Beto are profligate, and a deal to bring Jack Grealish back to the club still hasn’t been sorted.

Moreover, Iliman Ndiaye‘s future is unclear, with suitors mounting. The Senegalese winger has been brilliant since joining in 2024, and pulling off an even better signing will be difficult indeed.

He’s not a forward, but according to Sports Boom, Everton are in advanced talks with representatives over a sensational deal for John Stones, whose contract with Manchester City has expired. The 32-year-old is a free agent, but he’s not done in the Premier League. The Toffees are confident of striking a deal and are said to be closing in on an agreement with the player.

Stones used to ply his trade for Everton, of course, and bringing him back to the club this summer would be masterful work. Talks are ongoing, and while his participation at the World Cup is slowing things down, there is an expectation that Everton will get this one done.

Why Stones can be Everton’s best signing since Ndiaye

Stones has struggled with injuries over the duration of his Manchester City career, but he still leaves as one of the most decorated and admired defenders of his generation.

By definition, Stones’ job is to protect the goalkeeper, but that is not how his career has panned out. The Three Lions star’s intelligence and incredible range of passing makes him a special and unique player, hailed as “world-class” in the past by journalist Henry Winter.

He’s not a spring chicken anymore, but the impact that Stones would have under Moyes’ wing at the Hill Dickinson cannot be understated, especially as Jarrad Branthwaite continues to struggle with his own interminable fitness problems.

Stones is a leader and one of the most experienced centre-halves in the Premier League, in Europe. If Moyes is looking for a route into the upper echelon of the division, Stones might just have the map.

He would be a very different signing to someone like Ndiaye, but just as important when considering the phase that Moyes’ project is in. Ndiaye has been Everton’s star forward over the past several years, joining from Marseille for £15m and becoming “one of the best players in the Premier League“, according to presenter Jamie O’Hara.

While Man City’s legendary defender brings something very different to the table, he could open up new passing channels and help make a difference in the fight for higher ground.

Signing Stones would reinforce Everton’s backline, but his impact would transcend that of his positional role. He would help redefine Everton’s possession-based play; he would help change the mentality; he would play a leading role in creating a new chapter at the Hill Dickinson.

Stones is bound to take a hefty pay packet, but this is a deal that would have a lasting effect on Everton. Moyes needs to make it happen.