A look back at Everton’s 2017 summer transfer window

Despite all the hand-wringing on deadline day, Everton Football Club did enjoy a fairly good transfer window. Ronald Koeman and Steve Walsh were clear all summer about which players they wanted to bring in, and with the exception of Olivier Giroud, they got them all - even if it took a little while. There were a handful of youth signings, too, but we’ll just be looking at the first team here.

Lets take a look at the bigger picture of the Blues’ summer.

---

Incoming

Cuco Martina | Right Back | Free

The Curacao international hasn’t exactly been a revelation so far, but it’s clear that Koeman trusts him from their time together at Southampton. A suitable reserve.

Henry Onyekuru | Forward | £7.3m

Immediately loaned to Anderlecht in Belgium, the Nigerian is an electrifying prospect on the wing. He should be in Everton blue by the 2018-19 season.

Davy Klaassen | Attacking Midfield | £24.8m

The former Ajax captain has started a little slowly, but generally looked sharp without getting on the scoresheet. Klaassen suffered an injury that kept him out of the Chelsea game, and it’s unclear when he’ll be able to return.

Sandro Ramirez | Forward | £5.5m

Everton beat several big clubs to Ramirez’s signature - including Atletico Madrid. The price tag is deceptive, because Sandro looks to be quite the player. Unfortunately, he’s been playing with a heel injury so far.

Jordan Pickford | Goalkeeper | £26.1m

This kid’s a star. The young Englishman can make any save, many of them spectacular, and he commands his area in a way that Evertonians haven’t seen in some time. Pickford’s not afraid to lay into his defenders when they mess up, either.

Michael Keane | Center back | £26.1m

After several years of experiencing John Stones’ particular brand of defending, it seems that the Blues have finally found their rock at the back. Keane is a superb passer, extraordinary in the air, and has already made his mark on the club.

Wayne Rooney | Forward | Free

The homecoming was initially received with mixed reviews, but there can no longer be any doubt about the quality that Wayne Rooney still possesses. Yes, it can come in fits and starts, and yes, Rooney may see his older legs suffer from the long season, but the early returns on this signing are very, very good.

Gylfi Sigurdsson | Attacking Midfield | £45.3m

We haven’t seen enough of the Iceman to make any sort of judgment call on his fit in Koeman’s side, but we do know this - he’s quality, and his goal against Hajduk Split only cemented that fact. Sigurdsson will start whenever he’s fit.

Nikola Vlasic | Attacking Midfield | £9.9m

The Croatian impressed Everton so much in the Europa League tie that he earned a move to England. Easily Hajduk Split’s best player, Vlasic may get a run out in the first team, particularly since Kevin Mirallas is in the middle of pitching a fit about his playing time. There should be no such attitude from a talented youngster looking to prove himself.

Total: £145m

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

---

Outgoing

Romelu Lukaku | Forward | £77.7m + add-ons

One of the marquee sales this summer - in any league - Everton are going to miss the big Belgian’s goals. So many goals. However, Koeman prefers his teams to have their scoring more spread out, so there’s a chance the Blues can still be better than last season.

Gerard Deulofeu | Forward | £11m

Oh, Geri. Blessed with an abundance of natural ability but next to no self awareness, Deulofeu takes his stepovers and hair gel back to where it all began - Barcelona, after the Catalan club triggered a buyback clause.

Tom Cleverley | Central Midfield | £8.5m

That price is highway robbery. Watford should be ashamed of themselves.

Gareth Barry | Defensive Midfield | £1m

He wasn’t worth much on the open market, but Gaz was more valuable to Everton than his price tag indicates. Without Barry, Everton have no direct replacement for Morgan Schneiderlin. As we saw against Chelsea, that’s a problem.

Aiden McGeady | Forward | £257k

Well...bye.

Arouna Kone | Forward | Free

The Blues couldn’t land a big time striker this summer. Could Kone ha - no.

Total: £98.45

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

---

The 2017 summer transfer window saw Everton open with a bang, and broadcast their ambition under Farhad Moshiri. Unfortunately, it ended with a whimper. There are still several holes in Koeman’s squad, and the overall net spend is not too awfully different from years past. Much like last season, it seems 7th place is likely. The Toffees will be aiming higher, though, and January’s signing period will be crucial yet again.

All transfer data via Transfermarkt