Everton Transfers 2026/27: Röhl, Hackney and George Transform the Midfield — FPL Guide
David Moyes has rebuilt Everton's midfield for £55m. Every confirmed Toffees signing analysed for FPL ahead of Crystal Palace (H) in GW1.
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Everton have quietly assembled one of the most sensible windows in the league. David Moyes — working without the departed Seamus Coleman and Idrissa Gueye — has added three midfielders aged 24 and under: Merlin Röhl (£20m from Freiburg, made permanent after last season's loan), Hayden Hackney (£16.5m from Middlesbrough) and Tyrique George (£18m from Chelsea).
The Toffees finished 13th last season and open at home to Crystal Palace in GW1.
Confirmed Everton signings — summer 2026
| Player | Position | From | Fee | FPL relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merlin Röhl | CM | Freiburg | £20m | Medium |
| Hayden Hackney | CM | Middlesbrough | £16.5m | Medium |
| Tyrique George | W/FW | Chelsea | £18m | High |
The headline signings, analysed
Tyrique George — the upside pick
The 20-year-old England Under-21 forward has signed permanently after a six-month loan at Hill Dickinson Stadium, in a deal reported to be worth up to £30m with add-ons:
- 6 goals in 37 appearances for Chelsea before his loan
- Convinced Moyes to make the move permanent despite limited starts during the loan
- Signed a four-year deal — Everton see him as a long-term attacking piece
George's FPL appeal is his versatility across the front line and Everton's need for goals. If he wins a starting wide-forward role, he's a budget-midfielder/forward with genuine goal threat — and Palace at home is a soft launch.
Merlin Röhl — Moyes' engine-room project
The German midfielder's loan has been converted into a £20m permanent deal. Röhl is a powerful, box-to-box runner who covers defensive and attacking phases — the profile Moyes historically squeezes maximum value from (think Fellaini, Souček). Defensive-contribution points plus the odd goal make him a watchlist midfielder at budget price.
Hayden Hackney — Championship's best-kept secret
The £16.5m arrival from Middlesbrough has been one of the Championship's standout central midfielders for two seasons — a progressive passer and set-piece specialist. Set pieces are the key FPL hook: if Hackney takes corners and free-kicks at Everton, his assist ceiling jumps significantly.
What it means for FPL managers
- Everton's GW1 fixture (Palace, H) is attractive — Palace's away form has been patchy, and the Toffees' new-look midfield will be fresh.
- Set-piece ownership is the big pre-season question. Hackney vs the incumbents for dead-ball duties decides his FPL fate.
- George is the classic "second season" breakout candidate — a full pre-season in Moyes' system after a half-season loan is historically a strong profile.
- Clean sheets are Everton's identity — their defence, not their new midfielders, remains the safest FPL route into the team.
FPL verdicts
| Player | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Tyrique George | BUY/WATCH — breakout candidate |
| Merlin Röhl | WATCH — defensive-bonus midfielder |
| Hayden Hackney | WATCH — set-piece dependent |
Bottom line: Everton's window is about raising the floor. George is the FPL name to circle; Hackney becomes interesting the moment he's confirmed on set pieces.
Last updated: 17 July 2026.