Everton Free Agents David Moyes Could Still Sign After Deadline Day Transfer Blow

Everton supporters went into deadline day with a clear shopping list. In truth, the club’s hierarchy should have had the same one pinned to the wall: full backs and a striker. It was hardly a complicated brief.

For a while, the plan appeared to be taking shape. Kenny Tete looked set to arrive from Fulham to strengthen David Moyes’s options at right back, while Folarin Balogun was heading to Merseyside for a medical as the intended replacement for Beto, who had already moved on.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles, the former Arsenal and England player, completed his move in the afternoon. Nathan Patterson left the club. Jack Grealish returned to fill the gap left by Iliman Ndiaye. On the surface, Everton’s transfer deadline day seemed to be progressing without alarm.

Yet by the time the transfer window shut, the Toffees were left with only two recognised full backs, a handful of makeshift alternatives and just one natural striker. Is that a crisis? It is certainly close to one.

That leaves Everton looking toward the free agent market. Players who were released or left clubs before the deadline remain eligible to sign, and Moyes and his staff may have little choice but to explore that route. Below are some of the unattached players who could still offer Everton valuable cover this season.

Karim Benzema

Definitely the most high-profile name on the list, Ballon d’Or and five-time Champions League winner Benzema would be an insane coup for the Toffees.

Any arrival – if even possible – would come with caveats. He is 38 now, which is, for a better phrase, older than old- in football terms.

A short-term deal wouldn’t matter too much. There’s no way Everton don’t address the issue properly as soon as the next transfer window comes around, and Benzema could easily play second fiddle to Thierno Barry.

His wages would likely be astronomically high. When he left Real Madrid for Al-Ittihad in 2023, he was reportedly earning a sensational £1.4million a week, then went onto pick up a cool £2million-a-week at Al-Hilal before his departure earlier this year.

He would get nowhere near that at Everton – in fact he’d be looking at a huge pay cut. But is the challenge of the Premier League enough for that?

It’s unlikely. 

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Zinchenko’s career has fallen off a cliff since he left Arsenal last year.

It felt a good move for all parties when he joined Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan in September 2025, but his time at the City Ground saw him make just ten appearances before his loan was cut short.

He then moved to Ajax, but his contract expired after four months, and he remains unattached.

A move for Everton doesn’t seem like the worst idea in the world. Still only 29, Zinchenko has plenty of life left in his legs and has a lot of experience too. Let’s remember he’s a four-time Premier League winner, a four-time League Cup winner and a one-time FA Cup winner.

This one seems plausible. Caveats include that he has played in midfield more regularly than at left back in recent years – and he’s currently injured – but, if things fall into place, a move could make a lot of sense. 

Raphael Guerreiro

There aren’t many free agent right backs for Everton to choose from, but there are a fair few left backs. And, with Jake O’Brien more than capable on the right but Jarrad Branthwaite probably second choice left back, that may not be a bad thing.

Guerreiro may be past his prime but is still only 32 and left Bayern Munich in the summer. After three years there, plus seven at Borussia Dortmund, he would bring great experience and may even be happy to play back-up.

That said, Everton fans are growing increasingly frustrated with Vitaly Mykolenko, and Guerreiro would certainly stake his claim for a starting spot.

He could even be out of Everton’s price range – but may well be worth a go. 

Tyrell Malacia

Malacia’s Manchester United nightmare finally came to an end in the summer when he was released by the club after four years.

Maybe Malacia wasn’t ready for a club the size of United, but he is in his prime at 27 and undoubtedly hungry for a new challenge.

A move back home to the Netherlands may be on the agenda following a stint at PSV last year, and he may not be keen to move back to the Premier League after such a nightmare experience the first time around.

But, again, looking at the player and what Everton need… with Mykolenko the only recognised left back, a move would make sense. 

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Mauro Icardi

Icardi has made more headlines off the field than on it in recent years. Long story short, he split from his high-profile spouse Wanda Nara, an Argentinian model and presenter with whom he has two kids, and accused her of infidelity – arguing she cheated on him with Argentinian singer L-Gante and former team-mates Federico Fazio and Keita Balde. You can read more by clicking here.

On the field, he left Galatasaray in the summer after four years, and, at 33, is on the hunt for a new club.

The striker is a prolific goal scorer and has been wherever he has gone: 124 in 219 games for Inter, 77 in 134 for Gala and 38 in 92 for PSG. But that may mean he isn’t happy to be a back-up – though some healthy competition could work in Everton’s favour.

Moyes and Co may not feel he is worth the hassle. They would also have to move quickly, with it looking like he is set to join Lazio in Italy. A decent option from a footballing perspective, but one that feels almost impossible for Everton.

Dani Carvajal

Another player swimming in experience, former Real Madrid captain Carvajal is still yet to find a side after leaving Los Blancos in the summer.

This one feels unlikely. He has played in Spain since 2013, and may not want to relocate to the Premier League at the age of 34. He was also on big wages at Madrid – a reported £171,000 a week. That wouldn’t be on offer at Everton.

Still, don’t rule it out. Everton are a decent side playing in a top division and hoping to push for Europe.

Unlikely, but never say never. 

Anthony Martial

Now now.

Martial is remembered for all the wrong reasons in the Premier League. Announcing himself in style against Liverpool on his debut as a teenager, he’s now 30, and has just left Mexican club Monterrey by mutual consent.

Everyone remembers the Ballon d’Or clause in his contract when he joined United. And, to be frank, the situation went on to become a laughing stock. But it’s important to look at the player in isolation. He has scored goals throughout his career.

Martial netted 90 times in 317 games for United and nine in 24 for AEK Athens – though it is hard to ignore the one in 20 during his time in North America.

Could he be worth a punt? Cheap wages, probably happy to play back-up, knows the Premier League… it would certainly split the fanbase. 

Joselu

This is a man who was first choice striker for Real Madrid as little as 18 months ago, forming a surprise but effective partnership with Jude Bellingham.

Now 36, a short-term move would suit all parties and Joselu’s experience would likely prove more than handy in what has become a young Everton attack.

He’s a different type of striker, too – at 6ft 4in, his physical frame offers something Barry does not.

After leaving Qatar side Al-Gharafa earlier this year, it was expected that he would join a new club in the summer. He hasn’t, yet – and Everton could be the destination.

Someone else?

There aren’t just full backs and strikers up for grabs.

Any team can sign free agents outside the window, and there are plenty worth a look at.

Some will surely find a side of sorts soon. Jadon Sancho is available, though seems to be on his way to Palmeiras in Brazil. Yves Bissouma hasn’t found a new club after being released by Tottenham, and Reiss Nelson was let go by Arsenal before the window closed.

Former Premier League stars Riyad Mahrez and Abdoulaye Doucoure are still available, too, along with the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Tanguy Ndombele, and a certain Raheem Sterling.

The transfer window may well be closed. But for teams that failed to build their squads properly – such as Everton – hope is not lost.