Everton are wasting no time in the summer transfer window, and according to trusted journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Merseyside club have now made official contact over a potential deal to sign PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko. The 22-year-old Belgian winger has attracted considerable interest across Europe, and the Toffees appear ready to enter the race for his signature.
Bakayoko, a dynamic right-winger known for his blistering pace and direct style of play, has enjoyed a rapid rise in Dutch football. After turning heads with his performances for PSV over the last two seasons, the player now finds himself on the radar of multiple clubs in both the Premier League and the Bundesliga.
With just one year left on his contract, PSV are expected to cash in on the Belgian international rather than risk losing him for free next summer. That has opened the door for Everton, as well as several of their European counterparts, to begin talks for a summer swoop.
Fabrizio Romano reports that no fewer than five clubs have already initiated contact with PSV regarding Bakayoko. These include RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, and now Everton. The Dutch giants are said to be asking for around €20 million, with performance-based add-ons included.
Bakayoko, who already has 18 caps for Belgium, is considered one of the most exciting attacking prospects in the Eredivisie. His 2023-24 campaign was nothing short of impressive — 14 goals and 14 assists in all competitions — a tally that has not gone unnoticed by clubs eager to add flair and productivity to their flanks.
Everton’s interest comes as David Moyes looks to retool his squad following his emotional return to Goodison Park. With Jack Harrison’s loan spell over and his return to Leeds United confirmed, the club needs a natural wide player who can inject creativity and pace. Bakayoko could be the perfect fit.
Interestingly, Bakayoko had the chance to move to the Premier League last summer when Brentford tabled a record €34 million offer. Despite the allure of English football, he turned it down, expressing doubts about joining what he termed a “mid-table club.” The decision raised eyebrows but also hinted at the player’s ambition to compete at a higher level.
Now, with clubs like Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig — both with regular European football — circling, Everton may face an uphill battle. The question remains whether Bakayoko sees the Toffees as a better fit than he did Brentford last year.
David Moyes will be banking on his growing project and a new sense of direction at Everton to persuade Bakayoko that Goodison Park can offer him the stage he craves. The addition of striker Thierno Barry from Villarreal for £26.7 million and the permanent signing of Carlos Alcaraz are early signals of intent.
While Bakayoko has previously shown caution in jumping at the first Premier League opportunity, the evolving structure at Everton — along with Moyes’ vision and reputation for nurturing talent — might just tip the balance. The Toffees also boast a passionate fanbase and a club on the cusp of a potential rebirth under Moyes’ leadership.
Statistically, Bakayoko’s numbers remain impressive. In the 2024-25 Eredivisie season, he played 30 league games, scoring nine goals and registering a single assist. He created four big chances and averaged 1.2 key passes and 1.6 successful dribbles per game, with a dribbling success rate of 48%.
While some may question the relatively modest assist total, it’s worth noting that Bakayoko’s role in PSV’s system often saw him drawing defenders wide and creating space for teammates rather than accumulating assists himself. His ability to stretch defenses and beat his man one-on-one is what makes him so ‘lethal,’ a term used to describe him by Breaking The Lines.
At just 22, Bakayoko is still developing, and a move to a league like the Premier League could be exactly what he needs to elevate his game. However, the competition is fierce, and Everton will need to act fast and decisively if they are to secure his services ahead of other suitors.
Furthermore, the potential signing aligns with Everton’s broader strategy to bring in younger, high-upside players who can either become long-term assets or be sold at a profit. It reflects a shift from their previous transfer strategy, which often leaned on experienced, aging names without sell-on value.
There is also the financial element. With Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints looming over many Premier League clubs, a €20 million deal for a player of Bakayoko’s age and potential seems like a relatively low-risk, high-reward investment — especially if he hits the ground running.
With the transfer window heating up and Everton showing early ambition, the next few weeks could be decisive. Should the Toffees secure Bakayoko’s signature, it would signal a clear statement of intent from Moyes and his board: they are no longer content with survival — they want to build something significant.
For Bakayoko, the next destination could define his career. Whether he opts for a side with immediate European prospects or sees Everton as a long-term project worth betting on, the ball is now in his court. One thing is clear: the race for his signature is officially on.