Everton go into the summer with just 13 senior players committed to the club for the 2025/26 season but that is not the only transfer conundrum facing the club.
The u21s faced Newcastle United on Monday night and an impressive performance saw a number of players showcasing their talent despite a late Newcastle comeback to make it 2-2. Martin Sherif, fresh off appearances on the first team bench, scored a penalty, while Omari Benjamin continued his superb form on the right wing with a goal and an assist when he was fouled for the spot kick.
Elsewhere Isaac Heath had an excellent game in the number 10 role, showing technical ability and plenty of hard work in an impressive performance. The calm and tidy Callum Bates alongside him was also excellent, while young Northern Irish midfielder Jack Patterson provided the defensive cover.
All three midfielders, plus the likes of Eli Campbell in defence, have contracts that expire in 2025. They join Stan Mills and Cody Ebere on the list of players who can leave the club on a free when their deals expire in 2025.
Everton must now decide who is going to be offered a new contract in the summer or risk having a wafer thin u21s squad. It must balance those decisions with a realistic view of players who could eventually make it into the first team.
At just 19, Patterson is probably most likely to be retained, while Callum Bates has appeared on the first team bench under Sean Dyche and is well thought of at the club. Heath is 20 now and may want to seek first team football elsewhere and that feels like the key decision. The club may opt for a year-long deal and look into a loan for the talented attacking midfielder, or a two year deal to retain his value and hope he continues his development.
Another conundrum is that of Eli Campbell. He is excelling on loan at Ross County where he is playing as a left centre back in a back three – but he is equally at home on the left side of defence or as a wing back. He has been called up to the England u20s squad this year but his contract expires in 2025.
Midfield trio Luke Butterfield, Tyler Onyango, Matthew Apter and Owen Barker could also leave the club this summer when their contracts expire. Defenders Jack Tierney and Jack Butler, as well as goalkeepers Fraser Barnsley and Zan Luk Leban would also need a new contract if the club wishes to retain them.
Everton will at least retain a host of talented youngsters led by Harrison Armstrong. Other contracts have been signed by talented 17-year-old winger Joel Catesby, Braiden Graham, Jacob Beaumont-Clark, goalkeeper Dominic Lukjanciks and Roman Dixon as the club looks to tie down talents once they turned 17.
Players who some time left on their deal in the current u21s set up include Aled Thomas, Omari Benjamin, Kingsford Boakye, Martin Sherif, Odin Samuels-Smith, Will Tamen, George Pickford and Bradley Moonan.
They will be joined by Francis Gomez, the Gambian teenager signed in the summer and loaned to Lyon. He has been appearing for Lyon u21s, scoring once since making his debut.