Moyes’ own Palmer: Everton enter race for “special” £35m McAtee alternative
David Moyes Leads Everton Into Ambitious New Era Amid Ongoing Transfer Pursuit
Everton manager David Moyes may be a man under pressure, but he’s no stranger to navigating turbulent waters. The seasoned Scotsman, now in his second spell with the Toffees, has spent decades at the top of English football and is drawing from that deep well of experience as he leads Everton into a new chapter.
The Merseyside club, long battling financial instability and on-pitch inconsistency, appear to be emerging with renewed direction. Under Moyes’ guidance, a more strategic, forward-thinking structure is beginning to take shape — and the early signs suggest Everton could be gearing up for a resurgence.
Signs of Progress Amid Stability
While the club’s journey has been anything but smooth, there’s now cautious optimism building among fans. Recent events suggest that the club is finally starting to turn the corner. One such development is the renewal of rising star Jarrad Branthwaite’s contract — a clear signal of Everton’s intent to keep their promising core intact.
More strikingly, the club recently secured the signature of Thierno Barry, a 6ft 5in French striker hailed as a potential game-changer. Signed for £27.5 million, Barry is widely tipped to be the long-term replacement for the injury-prone Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and his physical presence and finishing ability offer a tantalising glimpse of what’s to come at the newly constructed Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton’s future home.
Moyes’ planning doesn’t stop there. The Everton boss is reportedly looking to make at least one or two more key signings before the Premier League season kicks off — with particular focus on bolstering the club’s creative and attacking options.
Everton in Talks Over Manchester City’s James McAtee
Everton have held preliminary discussions with Manchester City regarding talented midfielder James McAtee, who is attracting interest from multiple Premier League clubs. McAtee, known for his quick feet and sharp vision, would be a major coup for Moyes’ evolving squad.
However, competition for the 21-year-old’s signature is expected to be fierce. Everton must therefore hedge their bets and consider alternative options should McAtee opt for a different destination. That diligence seems to be in full swing already.
Omari Hutchinson & Tom Fellows on Everton’s Radar
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Everton are also eyeing two more under-the-radar talents — Omari Hutchinson and Tom Fellows. Both players, though differing in style, offer explosive qualities out wide and could be vital in adding the kind of dynamism Moyes is seeking.
“Everton want wingers,” Bailey stated. “Tom Fellows and Omari Hutchinson are very interesting. I think you could see both come in — they’re different types of wingers: one’s inverted and one isn’t. I think Moyes would love them both.”
Hutchinson, in particular, is a name that resonates. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Ipswich Town from Chelsea, later completing a permanent move to Portman Road for £20 million. Despite Ipswich’s relegation, Hutchinson showed enough promise to suggest he’s ready for a fresh challenge in the top flight.
He’s currently valued at £35 million, which, while not insignificant, could prove a relative bargain if he continues developing as expected.
Hutchinson’s Profile & Potential Fit
A technically gifted winger with flair and composure, Hutchinson has already drawn comparisons to Chelsea’s Cole Palmer — one of the breakout stars in the Premier League. Analyst Ben Mattinson once called Hutchinson part of a “ridiculous” crop of talent coming through Chelsea’s academy ranks, and his move to Everton could be the platform he needs to truly flourish.
Despite registering a modest five goal contributions in the top flight last season, the underlying metrics are encouraging:
Omari Hutchinson – 2024/25 Premier League Stats
(Per 90 minutes – via SofaScore)
Appearances (Starts): 28 (27)
Goals: 3
Assists: 2
Shots per game: 1.3 (0.6 on target)
Key Passes: 0.9
Dribbles: 1.6
Tackles + Interceptions: 1.5
Duels Won: 4.3
Pass Accuracy: 84%
Big Chances Created: 5
Big Chances Missed: 1
These numbers paint the picture of a well-rounded attacker — one who contributes both offensively and defensively. His creative passing, slick dribbling, and willingness to track back make him a strong candidate to thrive under Moyes’ tactically disciplined system.
While Hutchinson may not yet be at Palmer’s level — the Chelsea star who has tallied 41 goals and 28 assists in 96 games since leaving Manchester City — the 21-year-old has the tools and ceiling to become a similar kind of game-breaker. Analyst Felix Johnston has gone as far as to label him a “special talent.”
Final Thoughts: A Revitalised Everton on the Horizon
The blueprint at Everton is becoming clearer: invest wisely in young, high-upside players with Premier League experience or strong development pedigree. In doing so, Moyes is building a squad capable not just of survival, but of steady growth toward top-half contention and possibly European football down the line.
If the club can secure players like Hutchinson or Fellows, alongside the towering presence of Thierno Barry, they may soon be competing on a more equal footing with England’s top clubs — a far cry from the relegation battles of recent seasons.
A new era is dawning on the blue half of Merseyside, and David Moyes appears ready to lead Everton into it with clarity, purpose, and ambition.