The Friedkin Group have made it clear they intend to back Everton boss David Moyes this summer, and the early evidence suggests the recruitment department is already working at pace.
As we have reported on in recent weeks, the owners are prepared to fund a big-money striker signing, with Joshua Zirkzee, Liam Delap and Feyenoord’s Ayase Ueda all reportedly on the radar.
Troy Parrott, the AZ Alkmaar forward who scored 31 goals this season, is also a target, while Cesare Casadei has been monitored as a potential midfield addition.
Everton are expected to lean heavily on the free-agent and loan markets as they continue reshaping the squad ahead of the move into the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
TEAMtalk say that talks are underway over a move for Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier, while a second loan for Man City’s Jack Grealish — who impressed during a spell at Goodison earlier this season — is also being explored.
Everton aiming to force signing of ex-Tottenham forward who’s scored 31 goals this season
The Toffees are one of many clubs interested.
Matt Targett is another experienced name under consideration.
But it is at centre-back where the most eye-catching opportunity has presented itself, and Moyes is personally in favour of the pursuit.
David Moyes in favour of Everton re-signing John Stones
According to TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey, Everton view the chance to re-sign John Stones as a “standout” market opportunity.
The 31-year-old England international is out of contract at City this summer, and Moyes — who originally brought Stones to Goodison Park from Barnsley in January 2013 — sees the defender as someone who would add leadership, composure and elite-level experience to a squad that needs all three.
Stones spent three seasons at Everton before City paid around £47.5m to take him to the Etihad in August 2016.
What followed was a trophy-laden decade — six Premier League titles, a Champions League, multiple domestic cups and 87 England caps.
He remains in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup plans and will officially travel with the squad to America this summer.
His final season at City has been disrupted by a thigh injury sustained in December, limiting him to just seven league appearances and 353 minutes.
But at 31 — he turns 32 on May 28 — Stones still believes he can perform consistently at the top level for several more years, and his tactical intelligence and comfort in possession-based systems remain highly valued across European football.
That is where the problem lies for Everton.
They are not the only club who have noticed the opportunity. TEAMtalk report that Bayern Munich are showing strong interest, with Vincent Kompany — Stones’ former City teammate — understood to be a huge admirer of his profile.
The Bayern boss believes the defender’s experience operating in possession-heavy systems would make him an ideal fit in Germany.
The competition extends further still. Napoli, Inter Milan, Atlético Madrid, Monaco and Como have all explored the situation, while MLS clubs have also expressed interest as they continue targeting elite European players approaching the latter stages of their careers.
For Everton, the pitch is an emotional one — a homecoming, a manager who believes in him, and a club undergoing a new chapter at a new stadium.
Whether sentiment can outweigh the Champions League football and financial muscle that Bayern and others can offer is the question Moyes and the Friedkin Group must now answer.
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Everton are looking to pump fresh attacking quality into Moyes’ squad this summer.