Everton’s £35m Deal Collapsed On Deadline Day: Does It Hurt Moyes’ Season Plan?

Everton’s £35m Deal Collapsed On Deadline Day: Does It Hurt Moyes’ Season Plan? Everton saw a £35 million plan to bring Richarlison back from Tottenham Hotspur collapse late in the window after talks over the forward’s wages failed. The proposed return had carried obvious appeal because he remained popular on Merseyside after four seasons at Goodison Park, yet the salary gap proved too wide for Everton to bridge. Football Insider broke the story exclusively through transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke , reporting that talks reached an advanced stage before falling apart. During the negotiations, Richarlison posted an explosive message on Instagram, making clear that Tottenham’s hierarchy would not force him out. A separate move to Trabzonspor then failed, leaving the 29-year-old outside Roberto De Zerbi’s Premier League squad. Everton now face a thin attacking group Everton now look badly exposed after losing Iliman Ndiaye and Beto without senior replacements. Ndiaye joined Manchester City, while Beto departed for Fiorentina, leaving Thierno Barry as the only senior striker available to David Moyes. That is a huge problem for a manager who relies on physical running, pressure and direct play from his front line. Last season, Richarlison produced 11 Premier League goals and four assists in 32 appearances, plus one Champions League goal in seven games. He has made just one league appearance this term, lasting 67 minutes in the 3-0 defeat at Brentford, and he has no goal or assist. Tottenham have now left him out of their Premier League squad, despite Spurs spending over £300 million under De Zerbi. LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 15: Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur during the during the pre-season friendly match between Tottenham Hotspur and TSG Hoffenheim at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 15, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) For Everton, the failed deal hurts because the club clearly viewed Richarlison as a ready-made solution rather than a gamble. His old familiarity with supporters, league experience and pressing ability would have given Moyes a senior focal point immediately. Instead, the club sold Ndiaye and Beto and finished the window short of attacking options. Everton’s transfer decisions leave Moyes exposed The wider transfer strategy deserves scrutiny too. Everton spent £78 million this summer, well below the reported £181 million Premier League average, and finished with a net profit of £25 million. Meanwhile, Moyes started the campaign needing more quality and depth. A right-back problem remains, while the striker shortage looks even more severe. Grealish can shoulder more creative responsibility, and Moyes could use a false nine with Barry rotating across the front line, but that comes with obvious trade-offs. The manager has lost one of his most creative players and his only alternative striker. Everton needed bodies and goals; instead, the window left Moyes counting options that simply aren’t there.