Everton manager David Moyes says he will have to compromise on his January transfer window targets and is “really surprised” by the predicament the club is facing in the market.
The Toffees were deducted a total of eight points last season for failing to meet Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and have spent the third-lowest amount on players this season, with only Newcastle – who have also been forced to make transfers to meet the regulations – and Liverpool spending less.
“I can see now why it’s been so difficult at Everton over the past few years,” said Moyes, who succeeded Sean Dyche on January 11 and again praised his predecessor for managing within tight financial constraints.
“It’s not good when you see other teams buying a lot of top players and you can’t get involved in the action because it’s not within our reach.
“It’s just so difficult to get the players in that we want. I’m really jealous of watching a lot of teams who can maybe attempt to go for a lot of players at expensive prices.”
▶️ David Moyes provides further injury updates on Dwight McNeil and Youssef Chermiti, and says Chermiti is likely to be another “three to four weeks” before a potential return to the Men’s Senior Team. pic.twitter.com/DlZlZv4OvY
— Everton (@Everton) January 31, 2025
Everton transfer news: ‘We’re hampered’
Everton are seven points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand thanks to two wins in three games since Moyes’ arrival for his second spell at Goodison Park, but they remain the lowest scorers in the division aside from bottom side Southampton and have been hit by injuries.
Winger Dwight McNeil, who has their most direct goal contributions, is out after surgery, while former England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin could miss much of the rest of the season with a hamstring problem and midfielder Orel Mangala has a long-term knee injury.
“We’re really sad for both players,” said Moyes, speaking with the end of the transfer window looming on Monday night. “[Bringing players in is] certainly not for want of trying.
“We’re undoubtedly still hampered with PSR. I’ve been really surprised in the way it’s restricting the football club. We’re not quite there, but we don’t want to put ourselves in the position that we’ve been in before with points deductions.
“We hope to bring in some players, but maybe it’s not the ones who, if we really had the money, we’d be trying to [sign].”
▶️ David Moyes says he understands Orel Mangala will return to France for an operation on his ACL injury and says Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring) does not require surgery and could play again this season. pic.twitter.com/70O3mL3HTJ
— Everton (@Everton) January 31, 2025
Friedkins to help Everton ‘challenge’
“Everton’s a huge club and it should be competing with many of the big clubs in the country and, hopefully, spending in a way where it’s challenging for the big players who are available,” added Moyes.
“I’m just beginning to understand a little bit more about the PSR. It’s hindering us. What I really want to bring in to Everton now is not what I can do.”
Moyes is optimistic that The Friedkin Group, who took over on December 19, will give Everton more transfer strength.
“Trying to recruit correctly will always be the most important thing, I think, for most football managers,” he said. “At the moment, I don’t feel we’re in that buyers’ market.
“I’m quite confident, with the new owners coming in and getting clear of it in the summer, that we’ll hopefully be able to challenge. We need to add something to the squad [by Monday] rather than not. My aim is to try to bring something else in.”
Everton will aim for a third consecutive victory when they host 17th-placed Leicester City on Saturday (3pm GMT).