This summer is a fresh start for Everton, having the opportunity to create a new era for the football club upon their move to the new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium.
For the last couple of years, the side have been constantly in the bottom half of the Premier League table, often having to rely on last-day relegation battles.
However, David Moyes has returned to the club and turned their fortunes around, losing just twice in the league to Manchester City and Merseyside rivals Liverpool.
If the Scotsman is to take the club to the next level in 2025/26, the hierarchy desperately needs to hand him the funds he needs to make the changes he desires to the first-team squad.
With the summer transfer window just around the corner, it appears the board have wasted no time in identifying players to make the first season at the new stadium one to remember.
The latest on Everton’s hunt for new signings this summer
There’s no denying the striker role has been a constant issue at Goodison Park, with the Toffees desperately needing to address such an issue in the coming months.
Former Arsenal star Mika Biereth has emerged as one player on their shortlist, starring after his January move to join French outfit Monaco, scoring 12 times in his 13 league games since his transfer.
However, it remains unclear how much they will have to fork out for his signature, given he joined the Ligue 1 side for a reported £15m less than four months ago.
Another name has reemerged on their list of targets, in the form of Chris Rigg, who has starred in the Championship with Sunderland at the tender age of just 17.
According to Football Insider, the Toffees are leading the race for his signature, with the Black Cats demanding a whopping £38m to part ways with the talent this summer.
Why the £38m star could be Everton’s biggest star since Rooney
Wayne Rooney will remain one of the best talents to ever come out of Everton, after bursting onto the scene in the first-team as a 16-year-old back in 2002.
It was unheard of for a player of that age to make such an impact on the first team, scoring his first professional goal against Arsenal – in spectacular fashion too.
His first spell at Goodison Park saw him make 35 appearances, scoring eight goals, leading to a huge move to an English giant that would catapult him to stardom throughout his professional career.
Rooney eventually joined Manchester United for a fee in the region of £25.6m during the summer of 2004, before returning to his boyhood club for a second spell between 2017 and 2018.
However, a move for Rigg this window could allow the club to land a star who could be as talented as Rooney, undoubtedly set for huge things at the top level given his achievements as a teenager.
The Sunderland ace has already notched 67 appearances for the Black Cats since his debut in January 2023, cementing himself as a first-team regular in their hunt for Championship promotion.
He’s notched four goals and one assist in his 40 league outings to date, creating 1.2 chances per 90 for his teammates – showcasing the threat he poses in attacking areas.
Rigg has also completed 1.2 successful dribbles per 90, along with an 80% pass success rate, having the tools to transform their fortunes within the final third throughout 2024/25.
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Chris Rigg’s stats for Sunderland in the Championship (2024/25) |
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|---|---|
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Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
40 |
|
Goals & assists |
5 |
|
Pass completion rate |
80% |
|
Successful dribbles |
1.2 |
|
Chances created |
1.2 |
|
Duels won |
5.1 |
|
Tackles won |
57% |
|
Stats via FotMob |
|
Whilst he’s mainly an attacking player, he’s also starred out of possession, winning 5.1 duels per game along with a 57% tackle success rate – having the ability to improve massively in the future, given his tender age.
It’s been a long time since the Toffees have had a talent as good as Rooney, but Rigg could finally end their wait, having the skill set to be a key player on Merseyside for many years to come.
£38m may appear to be a mammoth fee for such a young star, but given the figures he’s produced coupled with his potential, it’s a risk worth taking, with Moyes reaping the rewards in the Premier League should he make the move in the coming months.
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