Jose Mourinho Poised to Hijack Everton’s Midfield Reinforcement Plans with Surprise Swoop for £35m Tottenham Star
Everton’s summer transfer window ambitions may be thrown into disarray, as legendary manager Jose Mourinho eyes one of the Toffees’ top targets in a bid to bring him to Turkey. New developments suggest that Everton’s pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma is under serious threat from Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, who have made a surprise move to sign the player on loan.
With the transfer market heating up, Everton manager David Moyes is preparing for a pivotal summer of squad rebuilding. The club is expected to lose several key players, particularly in central midfield, and Moyes is eager to strengthen his squad in at least four areas to stay competitive in the Premier League. Midfield reinforcements are at the top of his wishlist, especially following the confirmed departure of Abdoulaye Doucoure and the end of Orel Mangala’s loan spell. That leaves Everton alarmingly thin in the middle of the park.
One name that has repeatedly surfaced in Everton’s recruitment discussions is Yves Bissouma. The Malian international, who joined Tottenham Hotspur from Brighton & Hove Albion in a £35 million deal back in 2022, has seen his stock fall in recent seasons. Despite showing flashes of quality, Bissouma has struggled to cement a consistent place in Spurs’ starting XI under Ange Postecoglou. As the North London club looks to reshape its midfield, Bissouma is among those likely to be moved on this summer.
Everton’s interest in Bissouma was welcomed with enthusiasm by fans, many of whom believe his dynamic playing style would complement Idrissa Gana Gueye in a revamped midfield. However, according to a new report from Turkish publication Hurriyet, Mourinho’s Fenerbahce have entered the race, having submitted a loan offer for Bissouma that includes an option to buy at the end of the deal. This unexpected approach threatens to derail Everton’s plans and has put added pressure on the club to act quickly.
While Everton would likely prefer a permanent deal, Tottenham may lean toward selling Bissouma outright to help fund their own summer transfers. That could work in Moyes’ favor, provided the Toffees are willing to meet Spurs’ financial demands. But with Mourinho’s reputation and Fenerbahce’s growing ambition under new leadership, the Istanbul club represents a serious contender in this transfer tug-of-war.
Interestingly, one potential wildcard in the situation is Richarlison. The Brazilian forward, who enjoyed a highly successful stint at Everton before joining Tottenham in the same summer as Bissouma, remains a beloved figure at Goodison Park. It’s believed that Richarlison could play an influential role behind the scenes—possibly advocating for Everton and helping to persuade Bissouma to choose a Premier League stay over a move abroad. The two players share a dressing room at Spurs, and their relationship could become a deciding factor if personal influence sways Bissouma’s decision-making.
Meanwhile, Everton themselves have been linked with a possible return for Richarlison following his reduced playing time during the 2024/25 campaign. However, that potential reunion appears unlikely at this stage due to financial constraints and Tottenham’s valuation of the player. Still, the Brazilian’s ties to the club may be enough to assist Moyes in at least securing Bissouma’s services.
Should Everton manage to land the 27-year-old midfielder, it would mark a significant statement of intent for the summer. Bissouma’s energy, defensive tenacity, and Premier League experience could prove vital as Moyes looks to reshape the squad and return Everton to the top half of the table. But with Mourinho’s Fenerbahce now firmly in the mix, the race is far from over.
The coming days will be crucial. If Moyes wants to avoid missing out on one of his top transfer targets, Everton may need to accelerate negotiations with Spurs—and potentially outbid their Turkish rivals. With multiple clubs circling and time ticking, Everton’s midfield rebuild could hinge on how quickly they move to close the deal.