Everton make approach to sign country’s 2025 Footballer of the Year

Everton have already strengthened the spine of David Moyes’ squad this summer, but the next job is finding more goals.

Christian Norgaard, Hayden Hackney and Merlin Rohl have added steel and control in midfield, while Tyrique George has arrived as another attacking option.

The Toffees scored 47 Premier League goals, with only two surviving clubs managing fewer. They also created just 53 big chances, placing them among the division’s least dangerous sides.

Jack Grealish has returned to Man City following his loan, leaving uncertainty over whether Everton can bring back the invention he supplied.

Iliman Ndiaye remains the player most capable of producing something unexpected, but Al-Hilal are currently trying to sign the Senegalese in what could be a big-money deal.

That is where Pavel Šulc becomes an interesting target.

REUTERS/Marko Djurica

The Czech international, who won his country’s Player of the Year award in 2025, is not a conventional winger or a midfielder who sits deep and controls possession.

He does his best work close to goal, drifting into gaps and making clever runs into the penalty area.

Sulc joined Lyon from Viktoria Plzen last August after rebuilding his career through a string of loans in Czech football.

Spells with Vysocina Jihlava, Opava, Ceske Budejovice and Jablonec gave him the senior minutes needed to mature before he finally exploded at Plzen.

He scored 33 goals across his final two full Czech league campaigns, then carried that threat into France.

Sulc struck 11 times and supplied three assists in 27 Ligue 1 appearances during his first Lyon season. He started only 17 of those matches and played 1,565 minutes, making that return even more impressive.

Now, the Toffees appear to have entered the race.

Everton make approach for Lyon star Pavel Šulc

French outlet But! Football Club reports that Everton have made enquiries about the 25-year-old.

Leeds are also interested, although the report says their discussions have not reached an advanced stage, and crucially, no official offer from any of the English clubs is mentioned.

That means Everton’s interest should currently be treated as an initial check on the player’s situation, rather than evidence that a transfer is close.

Lyon signed Sulc for a reported £6.5 million and tied him down until 2029, so they are in a strong negotiating position, with the French report valuing him at around £17 million, although separate claims have suggested Lyon could demand more.

REUTERS/Alexandre Dimou

Sulc missed Lyon’s recent European qualifier against Sparta Prague with knee inflammation. Paulo Fonseca confirmed the problem, while also acknowledging the transfer interest surrounding his player.

Everton would have to be satisfied with his fitness before taking matters further.

Still, the attraction is obvious.

Sulc proved last term that his numbers could travel beyond Czech football, and for an Everton side needing more threat, sharper movement and extra goals, he looks worth an enquiry.