David Moyes makes personal scouting mission for £15k-a-week Everton target

Everton boss David Moyes recently traveled to watch an “ever-present” defender who has been enjoying a fine season in the Championship, according to a new report.

Exciting Everton summer ahead as stadium move draws nearer

Everton will be moving to a new stadium next season, bringing an end to their nearly 150-year stay at the historic Goodison Park.

Simply named Everton Stadium for now, the new venue will have a capacity of 52,888 fans, representing a significant increase in size compared to their former home. The stadium will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including modern hospitality suites, advanced lighting and sound systems, and enhanced fan experiences throughout.

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Everton could be set for a summer transfer window of sweeping change.

Ahead of the move, a host of former Everton stars have recently been to check out the new ground in the flesh, including both Tim Howard and Wayne Rooney – both of whom had glowing reviews.

“I’m overwhelmed by the enormity of the sheer size of the stadium,” said Howard, who made over 400 appearances in goal for the Toffees between 2006 and 2016. “It’s so big. It almost just stands on top of you, which is incredible. The more blue the better as well.”

Rooney, meanwhile, said: “It’s brilliant. Really impressive. Here, it’s a big stadium, but it still feels close to the pitch. I think it’ll generate a good atmosphere. It’s the people, it’s the fans who create the atmosphere.”

Moyes watches Esteve as Toffees plan for big summer

On top of a brand new stadium, Everton will also likely have a host of new players next season, with manager Moyes keen to reinforce his squad in the summer after what’s been a difficult season. One of those players could be Burnley defender Maxime Esteve who, according to journalist Alan Nixon, the boss went to watch in action over the weekend.

Esteve helped Burnley to a 1-0 win over Bristol City on Saturday to boost the Clarets’ promotion hopes. Nixon reports that Moyes is targeting a potential summer move for Esteve and that the Scottish coach is likely to be given money by Everton’s hierarchy to do so.

Frenchman Esteve, 22, has been one of the Championship’s outstanding defenders this season, helping Burnley keep a record 28 clean sheets in just 39 games all while making just £15,000-a-week at Turf Moor.

Speaking to Football League World, former Leeds United man David Prutton recently said that he expects Esteve to be playing in the Premier League next season – whether Burnley are up there or not.

“What I have seen from Maxime Esteve is a maturity that belies his years, and shows a real consistency of performance,” he said. “He has been an ever-present since getting himself into the side, and that reliability at the very highest level is exactly what these players get paid a hell of a lot of money for.

“The real test in the Premier League is that standard of striker that you come up against and the standard of opposition. But given what I have seen of him this season – and you can’t get away from the fact that Burnley have kept 27 clean sheets which is extraordinary – it feels like Maxime Esteve is a Premier League player in the waiting.”