Everton Exploring Late Move for Midfielder Ahead of Transfer Deadline

 

Everton are preparing a dramatic late push in the transfer market, with the Merseyside club now working on a deal to bring in SC Freiburg midfielder Merlin Röhl before the window slams shut at 7pm tonight.

David Moyes has already overseen a busy summer at Finch Farm, welcoming eight new players to the squad as the Toffees aim to bounce back from several turbulent seasons. That investment appears to be paying dividends, with last weekend’s victory offering early proof of the progress being made. However, with the Premier League campaign still in its infancy, Everton are not finished just yet.

Everton’s Transfer Priorities

Heading into deadline day, Everton’s recruitment team identified two positions where reinforcements could be essential: central midfield and right-back. While there may also be outgoings — with academy graduate Harrison Armstrong tipped for a loan move to the Championship — the priority is very much focused on adding creativity and energy in the middle of the park.

Everton initially explored a move for West Ham’s Tomas Soucek, but the Hammers have no intention of letting the experienced Czech international depart this late in the window. That has forced the Toffees to switch their attention back to a familiar name — 23-year-old German talent Merlin Röhl, who has been on Everton’s radar throughout the summer.

Röhl the Key Target

According to The Athletic, Everton are now actively plotting an approach for Röhl, though the tight deadline means negotiations will have to move at pace if a deal is to be completed. Freiburg value the midfielder at around £21m, and while such a fee represents a significant outlay, the Toffees view him as a potential game-changer.

Röhl broke through at Freiburg last season, establishing himself as an important figure in a side that regularly punches above its weight in the Bundesliga. His blend of athleticism, tactical discipline, and offensive output has made him one of Germany’s brightest young midfield prospects.

Praise for Röhl’s Development

Germany U21 coach Antonio Di Salvo has spoken glowingly about Röhl’s qualities, praising not only his technical ability but also his mentality.

“He fought his way into Freiburg’s team. That’s not easy. He focused on defensive work and also came into his own offensively. He’s very quick and determined. He’s very dangerous,” Di Salvo said earlier this year.

Those attributes make Röhl a particularly attractive option for Moyes. His versatility means he can slot into various midfield roles — whether as a deep-lying playmaker, a box-to-box presence, or further forward as an attacking midfielder. For a side competing across multiple competitions, that kind of adaptability could prove invaluable.

What Röhl Would Bring to Everton

Everton’s midfield already features promising talent, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall shining in the recent win over Wolves. But with the demands of a long season ahead, Moyes is keen to add competition and depth. Röhl’s energy and dynamism would provide a different dimension, while his ability to link play and contribute both defensively and offensively could help unlock tighter matches.

Given the financial constraints Everton have operated under in recent years, completing a £21m deal for a player of Röhl’s profile would be seen as a significant coup. It would also send a strong message about the club’s intent to push higher up the table and re-establish themselves as a force in English football.

A Race Against Time

With just hours left before the deadline, Everton’s recruitment team faces a race against the clock to finalize terms with Freiburg and agree personal details with Röhl. While sources caution that the deal remains difficult to conclude on such short notice, there is growing optimism that Everton could pull off one last statement signing before the window closes.

The coming hours promise to be tense and dramatic for Toffees supporters. Should Röhl arrive, Everton’s midfield would gain both depth and danger, potentially giving Moyes the tools he needs to turn his side into one of the surprise packages of the season.