Royal Blue

Everton have made a number of moves already this summer, with two key signings confirmed in Carlos Alcaraz and Thierno Barry, however, it's clear a number of essential areas still need to be filled. Blues boss David Moyes is keen on strengthening the squad with Premier League experience, which includes players who will be able to stabilise the club’s position in the table as well as push on for Europe.  With numerous players from across the continent linked, Moyes has made no secret of his intent to create a robust spine, while bringing in quality players in attacking areas. Just where do those key areas lie? And what are Everton’s priorities in the next phase of the window?  In today’s Royal Blue podcast, Ian Croll is joined by Gav Buckland to discuss the latest transfer news as well as reports of Jarrad Branthwaite’s release clause and reports that Everton are looking for minority investment in Everton’s Women’s Team.  Also on the agenda is John Textor, the American billionaire who had a failed takeove

Is James Garner Everton’s most divisive footballer? Why does a player who clearly possesses much talent divide opinion among Everton’s fanbase?  The midfielder has established himself as an important player under David Moyes with many strings to his bow, however  since joining the Blues back in 2022, the former Manchester United man has yet to display his attacking qualities, having played 84 times, scoring only two goals and notching four assists.  Compare that to his loan spell at Nottingham Forest in the Championship in the 2021/22 season, he scored four goals and provided 10 assists, which contributed to the East Midlands club’s promotion to the Premier League.  While Garner has shown glimpses of what he can offer, he is het to convince many Evertonians he can push on. Everton manager David Moyes will no doubt be hoping for more from him next season.  In other news, Everton have moved another step closer to finalising a deal to bring Villarreal forward Thierno Barry to the club.  Join Ian Croll and C

Thierno Barry is set to undergo a medical with Everton after the club reached a deal with Villarreal for the forward. The 22-year-old is moving closer to joining David Moyes’ squad after talks between the Blues and the La Liga side reached a conclusion. As previously reported, negotiations had been ongoing for some time. By the middle of last week there was growing hope Barry would become the club’s second signing of the summer. Work still needs to be done for the deal to be completed but a move is now looking increasingly likely, with the clubs having settled on a fee for the France Under-21s international. Everton held extensive discussions with Villarreal last month, leading up to the breakthrough over a fee. Join Ian Croll, Joe Thomas and Paul Wheelock as they discuss the latest news coming out of Everton Football Club.  Chris Beesley's Book: Spirit of the Blues: https://tinyurl.com/35yrkvdb Emotional farewell to Goodison Park | 16-page Everton souvenir picture special:  https://shop.regionalnewspa

Jarrad Branthwaite has committed his long-term future to Everton. The young defender has signed a new five-year contract with the club. The centre-back was the subject of two failed bids from Manchester United last summer and has been attracting interest again early in the summer window. However, the Blues have secured a significant coup in keeping him tied down until 2030. Branthwaite was named as the club's Young Player of the Year for 2024-25, having won the same award and the Player of the Year gong for 2023-24 after an excellent breakthrough season. Join Ian Croll, Tony Scott and Paul Wheelock as they discuss today’s breaking news and the positive impact that will have on Everton moving forward.  Chris Beesley's Book: Spirit of the Blues: https://tinyurl.com/35yrkvdb *Emotional farewell to Goodison Park | 16-page Everton souvenir picture special:*  https://shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk/liverpool-echo-monday-19th-may-2025-4583-p.asp *Goodbye to Goodison special souvenir edition:*  https://tinyurl.

Join Ian Croll and Joe Thomas for the latest edition of the Royal Blue podcast as they discuss the latest news coming out of Everton Football Club.  Chris Beesley's Book: Spirit of the Blues: https://tinyurl.com/35yrkvdb *Emotional farewell to Goodison Park | 16-page Everton souvenir picture special:*  https://shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk/liverpool-echo-monday-19th-may-2025-4583-p.asp *Goodbye to Goodison special souvenir edition:*  https://tinyurl.com/GoodbyeGoodisonSouvenir *25 Best Reach Podcasts*https://podcast.feedspot.com/reach_podcasts/#h5644883 *Gavin Buckland's Book 'The End' | Order your copy here:* https://tinyurl.com/GavinBucklandTheEnd Everton FC podcasts from the Liverpool ECHO’s Royal Blue YouTube channel. Get exclusive Everton FC content - including podcasts, live shows and videos - everyday.  Subscribe to the Royal Blue Everton FC YouTube Channel and watch daily live shows HERE: https://bit.ly/3aNfYav Listen and subscribe to the Royal Blue Podcast for all your latest Everton FC co

In the latest edition of the Royal Blue podcast, host Chris Beesley is joined by regular guest Gavin Buckland plus Everton author Steve Zocek.  As well as David Moyes’ transfer ambitions this summer and the potential signings of Kenny Tete and Thierno Barry, the panel discuss the new Everton home kit plus Steve’s new book Kendall’s Glory Years, covering the first spell in charge at Goodison Park for the club’s most successful manager between 1981-87.  The book is published by Pitch and is out now. https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/kendalls-glory-years *Emotional farewell to Goodison Park | 16-page Everton souvenir picture special:*  https://shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk/liverpool-echo-monday-19th-may-2025-4583-p.asp *Goodbye to Goodison special souvenir edition:*  https://tinyurl.com/GoodbyeGoodisonSouvenir *25 Best Reach Podcasts*https://podcast.feedspot.com/reach_podcasts/#h5644883 *Gavin Buckland's Book 'The End' | Order your copy here:* https://tinyurl.com/GavinBucklandTheEnd Everton FC pod

Everton enter the final week of June with work to do before the real transfer mayhem begins.  Clarity is required on the as yet unresolved contract situations of Seamus Coleman, Idrissa Gueye, Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Each of their current deals will expire next week. A decision on their futures is expected in the next week.  In other news, Everton want Kenny Tete and are trying to seal the free transfer signing of the Netherlands international right-back, whose deal at Premier League rivals Fulham is set to expire. However, after reports of a verbal agreement Fulham this week sent new improved contract proposals to the right-back.  Both Fulham and Everton have proposals on the table with a decision expected soon. Join Ian Croll and Connor O’Neill for the Wednesday edition of the Royal Blue podcast as they discuss the latest Everton transfer news. *Emotional farewell to Goodison Park | 16-page Everton souvenir picture special:*  https://shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk/liverpool-echo-monda

Everton want Kenny Tete and are trying to seal a deal for the Dutch international defender. The 29-year-old is set to become a free agent. Fabrizio Romano claims the Blues have reached a verbal agreement to sign Tete, whose Fulham contract officially ends on June 30, with a three-year deal in place and formal steps to follow next week. Join Ian Croll, Joe Thomas and Chris Beesley for the Monday edition of the Royal Blue podcast as they discuss the latest Everton transfer news. Chris Beesley's Spirit of the Blues: https://tinyurl.com/35yrkvdb *Emotional farewell to Goodison Park | 16-page Everton souvenir picture special:*  https://shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk/liverpool-echo-monday-19th-may-2025-4583-p.asp *Goodbye to Goodison special souvenir edition:*  https://tinyurl.com/GoodbyeGoodisonSouvenir *25 Best Reach Podcasts*https://podcast.feedspot.com/reach_podcasts/#h5644883 *Gavin Buckland's Book 'The End' | Order your copy here:* https://tinyurl.com/GavinBucklandTheEnd Everton FC podcasts from the

Everton have opened talks with Jarrad Branthwaite about a new contract. Keeping hold of the centre back is a priority for the Blues this summer, with the 22-year-old once again the subject of interest from Premier League rivals. David Moyes is determined to build his new-look Everton squad around the defender and, while he remains under contract for another two years, the offer of fresh terms that better reflected his importance were increasingly likely. The ECHO understands such conversations are now underway. Join Ian Croll, Joe Thomas and Gav Buckland for the Friday edition of the Royal Blue podcast as they discuss the latest Everton transfer news. *Emotional farewell to Goodison Park | 16-page Everton souvenir picture special:*  https://shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk/liverpool-echo-monday-19th-may-2025-4583-p.asp *Goodbye to Goodison special souvenir edition:*  https://tinyurl.com/GoodbyeGoodisonSouvenir *25 Best Reach Podcasts*https://podcast.feedspot.com/reach_podcasts/#h5644883 *Gavin Buckland's

Everton will face Brighton & Hove Albion in their first competitive fixture at their new 52,888-capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, August 23 (3pm). The Seagulls also provided the opposition for the Blues’ first game of their historic final season at Goodison Park last year. David Moyes’ men will start the 2025/26 season with a trip to newly promoted Leeds United on Monday, August 18 (8pm), some three days after neighbours Liverpool start at home to Bournemouth with a Friday night fixture. The first Merseyside Derby comes in just Everton’s fifth fixture, going to Anfield on September 20 after they have tackled West Midlands duo Wolverhampton Wanderers (away, August 30) and Aston Villa (home, September 13) in back-to-back fixtures either side of the first international break of the new campaign. Join Ian Croll, Tony Scott and Chris Beesley as they react to the 2025/26 fixture list. *Emotional farewell to Goodison Park | 16-page Everton souvenir picture special:*  https://shop.regionalnewspapers.c

Everton have announced that they will play Roma in the inaugural first team game at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday August 9 (kick-off 3pm). Join Ian Croll, Joe Thomas and Chris Beesley for the latest edition of the Royal Blue podcast as they discuss the latest transfers rumours and players linked with the Blues, as well as the news regarding the historic friendly with Roma.  *Emotional farewell to Goodison Park | 16-page Everton souvenir picture special:*  https://shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk/liverpool-echo-monday-19th-may-2025-4583-p.asp *Goodbye to Goodison special souvenir edition:*  https://tinyurl.com/GoodbyeGoodisonSouvenir *25 Best Reach Podcasts*https://podcast.feedspot.com/reach_podcasts/#h5644883 *Gavin Buckland's Book 'The End' | Order your copy here:* https://tinyurl.com/GavinBucklandTheEnd Everton FC podcasts from the Liverpool ECHO’s Royal Blue YouTube channel. Get exclusive Everton FC content - including podcasts, live shows and videos - everyday.  Subscribe to the Roya

Join Ian Croll and Chris Beesley for the Friday addition of the Royal Blue podcast as they take a deep dive into Everton’s first team squad and the take facing David Moyes in his rebuild of the club. *Emotional farewell to Goodison Park | 16-page Everton souvenir picture special:*  https://shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk/liverpool-echo-monday-19th-may-2025-4583-p.asp *Goodbye to Goodison special souvenir edition:*  https://tinyurl.com/GoodbyeGoodisonSouvenir *25 Best Reach Podcasts*https://podcast.feedspot.com/reach_podcasts/#h5644883 *Gavin Buckland's Book 'The End' | Order your copy here:* https://tinyurl.com/GavinBucklandTheEnd Everton FC podcasts from the Liverpool ECHO’s Royal Blue YouTube channel. Get exclusive Everton FC content - including podcasts, live shows and videos - everyday.  Subscribe to the Royal Blue Everton FC YouTube Channel and watch daily live shows HERE: https://bit.ly/3aNfYav Listen and subscribe to the Royal Blue Podcast for all your latest Everton FC content via Apple and Sp

Everton have started their summer recruitment drive with the permanent capture of Carlos Alcaraz after a successful spell on loan. But there remains a lot for David Moyes to do. Little wonder, then, the Blues boss is getting linked with players left, right and centre, whether it be Manchester City pair Jack Grealish and James McAtee, or Villarreal rising star Thierno Barry. But there are also pressing contract situations to sort, most pertinently Idrissa Gueye, who alongside Everton team-mate Iliman Ndiaye, starred as Senegal secured a stunning 3-1 win at the City Ground last night over woeful England, whose decision to rest Jordan Pickford backfired. Everton’s recruitment team has been formally boosted by the appointment of Nick Hammond. The transfer specialist has now started his work as part of the new-look recruitment team at Everton. Join Ian Croll and Connor O’Neill as they discuss the latest transfer news and rumours coming out of the Hill Dickinson Stadium.  *Emotional farewell to Goodison Park |

Join Ian Croll, Joe Thomas and Chris Beesley as they discuss the latest news and transfer news coming out of the Hill Dickinson Stadium.  *Emotional farewell to Goodison Park | 16-page Everton souvenir picture special:*  https://shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk/liverpool-echo-monday-19th-may-2025-4583-p.asp *Goodbye to Goodison special souvenir edition:*  https://tinyurl.com/GoodbyeGoodisonSouvenir *25 Best Reach Podcasts*https://podcast.feedspot.com/reach_podcasts/#h5644883 *Gavin Buckland's Book 'The End' | Order your copy here:* https://tinyurl.com/GavinBucklandTheEnd Everton FC podcasts from the Liverpool ECHO’s Royal Blue YouTube channel. Get exclusive Everton FC content - including podcasts, live shows and videos - everyday.  Subscribe to the Royal Blue Everton FC YouTube Channel and watch daily live shows HERE: https://bit.ly/3aNfYav Listen and subscribe to the Royal Blue Podcast for all your latest Everton FC content via Apple and Spotify: APPLE: https://bit.ly/3HbiY1E SPOTIFY: https://bit.ly

Join Ian Croll and financial football expert Dave Powell for a Royal Blue Q&A show as they discuss the latest on Everton’s finances going into the 2025 summer transfer window.  Submit your questions on anything from stadium naming rights, PSR, commercial revenue, transfer fees, wages, amortisation & TFG. *Emotional farewell to Goodison Park | 16-page Everton souvenir picture special:*  https://shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk/liverpool-echo-monday-19th-may-2025-4583-p.asp *Goodbye to Goodison special souvenir edition:*  https://tinyurl.com/GoodbyeGoodisonSouvenir *25 Best Reach Podcasts*https://podcast.feedspot.com/reach_podcasts/#h5644883 *Gavin Buckland's Book 'The End' | Order your copy here:* https://tinyurl.com/GavinBucklandTheEnd Everton FC podcasts from the Liverpool ECHO’s Royal Blue YouTube channel. Get exclusive Everton FC content - including podcasts, live shows and videos - everyday.  Subscribe to the Royal Blue Everton FC YouTube Channel and watch daily live shows HERE: https://bit.ly/3a

Everton are braced for another summer of interest in Jarrad Branthwaite. The centre-back remains on the radar of several Premier League clubs. The Blues rebuffed two bids for the 22-year-old from Manchester United last summer. Neither offer, with the second for a package worth around £50m, came close to meeting the club’s valuation of a player who had enjoyed a stunning breakthrough year. Branthwaite is under contract at Everton until the end of June 2027, having signed a new deal following his emergence into the first team in the opening months of the 2023/24 campaign. Everton, who signed him from Carlisle United in 2020, are in a strong position to rebuff speculative interest as a result. Looking deeper into the squad, a number of Everton players with uncertain futures remain out the club, but for how long? Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Michael Keane will see their contracts run out at the end of June while Nathan Patterson has struggled to impress upon his return from injury.  A forward remains a priority

Everton have completed the permanent transfer of Carlos Alcaraz on a contract until 2027. The Argentine attacker joins after a successful six-month loan spell from Brazilian club Flamengo. The Blues have completed the permanent transfer of Carlos Alcaraz on a contract until 2027. The Argentine attacker joins after a successful six-month loan spell from Brazilian club Flamengo. The club are still in talks with Idrissa Gueye about extending the midfielder's spell with the club. The 35-year-old was named Everton's Player of the Season but his contract expires this summer. Join Ian Croll, Joe Thomas and Chris Beesley as they discuss the latest transfer news and the latest on contracts.  *Emotional farewell to Goodison Park | 16-page Everton souvenir picture special:*  https://shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk/liverpool-echo-monday-19th-may-2025-4583-p.asp *Goodbye to Goodison special souvenir edition:*  https://tinyurl.com/GoodbyeGoodisonSouvenir *Gavin Buckland's Book 'The End' | Order your copy here:* https

Join Ian Croll and Gav Buckland for the Friday edition of the Royal Blue podcast and they discuss the latest news coming out of Everton including the latest transfer news. *Emotional farewell to Goodison Park | 16-page Everton souvenir picture special:*  https://shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk/liverpool-echo-monday-19th-may-2025-4583-p.asp *Goodbye to Goodison special souvenir edition:*  https://tinyurl.com/GoodbyeGoodisonSouvenir *Gavin Buckland's Book 'The End' | Order your copy here:* https://tinyurl.com/GavinBucklandTheEnd Everton FC podcasts from the Liverpool ECHO’s Royal Blue YouTube channel. Get exclusive Everton FC content - including podcasts, live shows and videos - everyday.  Subscribe to the Royal Blue Everton FC YouTube Channel and watch daily live shows HERE: https://bit.ly/3aNfYav Listen and subscribe to the Royal Blue Podcast for all your latest Everton FC content via Apple and Spotify: APPLE: https://bit.ly/3HbiY1E SPOTIFY: https://bit.ly/47xwdnY Visit the Liverpool ECHO website: h

Join Ian Croll and Connor O’Neill as they look back at everton superb 1-0 win over Newcastle at St James’ Park as well as discuss the latest on ingoings and outgoings at the club.  *Emotional farewell to Goodison Park | 16-page Everton souvenir picture special:*  https://shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk/liverpool-echo-monday-19th-may-2025-4583-p.asp *Goodbye to Goodison special souvenir edition:*  https://tinyurl.com/GoodbyeGoodisonSouvenir *Gavin Buckland's Book 'The End' | Order your copy here:* https://tinyurl.com/GavinBucklandTheEnd Everton FC podcasts from the Liverpool ECHO’s Royal Blue YouTube channel. Get exclusive Everton FC content - including podcasts, live shows and videos - everyday.  Subscribe to the Royal Blue Everton FC YouTube Channel and watch daily live shows HERE: https://bit.ly/3aNfYav Listen and subscribe to the Royal Blue Podcast for all your latest Everton FC content via Apple and Spotify: APPLE: https://bit.ly/3HbiY1E SPOTIFY: https://bit.ly/47xwdnY Visit the Liverpool ECHO w

In a special ‘on the road’ edition of the Royal Blue podcast, ECHO Everton correspondent Joe Thomas and ECHO Everton reporter Chris Beesley analyse Everton’s 1-0 win at Newcastle United and the second half of the season under David Moyes as they drive back from St James’ Park. The Blues secured their fifth away victory since  the Glaswegian returned to Goodison Park thanks to Carlos Alcaraz’s second half header to spoil the Magpies Champions League party while in the face of his usual barracking from the Toon Army, Jordan Pickford rammed the taunts down his North East rivals’ throats with another masterclass in goal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices