As the clock ticks relentlessly towards the commencement of the 2025/26 Premier League season, the air around Goodison Park is thick with anticipation, and perhaps a touch of exasperation. Everton Football Club finds itself in a familiar summer predicament: a pressing need for strategic squad reinforcement, particularly in defensive midfield, juxtaposed against a transfer market that seems to move at a snail`s pace for the Toffees.
Moyes` Frustration Echoes Through Finch Farm
Manager David Moyes, a figure synonymous with Everton`s recent past and now its future, has not shied away from voicing his increasing frustration. After a pre-season tour that underscored the squad`s current deficiencies, Moyes` public statements painted a vivid picture of a club desperately trying to get deals over the line. “We`re not getting a lot of the deals over the line at the moment, that`s a fact,” he admitted, his words resonating with the anxious fan base.
“My first thought was `yes, I was surprised` because Everton is such a big club. Great traditions, what the club has stood for over the years, the new stadium is an exciting new move for us. But then you have another thought and you think again — `we have been around the relegation positions the last five years and not far off the bottom.` The fact of the matter is we`ve got to rebuild trust in people who should come to Everton and show that the club is going in the right direction and that we`ve got a new future.”
The sentiment is understandable. Despite recent successes in securing young talents like Thierno Barry, Mark Travers, and Bayern Munich`s Adam Aznou, the core issues remain. The club, with its “great traditions” and the allure of a “new stadium,” has found itself stuck in a cycle of battling relegation for the past five years. This unfortunate reality, as Moyes himself noted, has created a significant hurdle in attracting top-tier talent. The task, therefore, isn`t merely about signing players; it`s about “rebuilding trust in people who should come to Everton and show that the club is going in the right direction.” A monumental task indeed, especially when £150 million in potential spending power from The Friedkin Group appears to be yielding fewer immediate results than one might expect.
The Elusive Midfield Anchor
The quest for a robust defensive midfielder has been a recurring theme for Everton this summer. Initial targets, such as Manchester City`s promising James McAtee and Aston Villa`s influential Douglas Luiz, proved challenging. A reported loan offer for Luiz, a player of significant caliber, failed to materialize, sending Everton back to the drawing board. This isn`t just about adding depth; it`s about finding a linchpin, a player capable of shielding the defense, disrupting opposition attacks, and dictating the tempo from deep.
With Abdoulaye Doucoure`s role needing a younger, long-term successor, the imperative to find a suitable candidate became even more acute. The Toffees couldn`t afford to merely settle; they needed a player who could truly elevate the team`s defensive structure and transition play.
Enter Florentino Luis: A New Hope?
In the evolving landscape of the summer transfer window, a new name has surged to the forefront of Everton`s agenda: Florentino Luis of Benfica. Reports from journalist Gianluigi Longari suggest Everton are now actively “pushing” to sign the Portuguese midfielder, seemingly nudging ahead of fellow Premier League aspirants Leeds United and Burnley.
Luis`s potential availability stems from the recent arrival of Richard Rios at Benfica, which could pave the way for his departure. For Everton, this represents a fresh, perhaps more attainable, opportunity to acquire a player they`ve reportedly admired for some time. Scout Jacek Kulig, in 2023, notably praised Luis for his “superb work rate,” a quality that aligns perfectly with Moyes` tactical preferences and the demanding nature of the Premier League.
At just 25 years old, Luis is entering what many consider the prime of a footballer`s career. His age, combined with his lauded work rate and defensive acumen, positions him as an ideal candidate to fill the void in Everton`s midfield. He represents not just an alternative to Douglas Luiz but potentially a more strategic, long-term acquisition. Securing Luis would signal Everton`s intent to invest in youth and dynamism, offering a tangible step towards rebuilding the trust Moyes spoke of.
The Race Against the Opening Whistle
With the Premier League curtain set to rise imminently, the urgency for Everton to finalize their player recruitment cannot be overstated. The acquisition of Florentino Luis would provide a much-needed boost, both on the pitch and in terms of morale. It would offer a clear statement of intent, demonstrating the club`s commitment to strengthening the squad and providing Moyes with the tools he needs to navigate a notoriously competitive league.
The Goodison Park faithful, having endured recent seasons of struggle, are undoubtedly eager to see concrete action. The potential arrival of a player like Luis could be the catalyst required to shift the narrative, moving Everton from a club constantly battling relegation to one that can genuinely look towards a more stable and promising future. The ball, as they say, is firmly in Everton`s court.
