Everton player in dreamland hours after confirmed transfer news
Everton’s January transfer window is still waiting to kick into gear.
The Friedkin Group are under major pressure to invest in David Moyes‘ squad this winter, with Everton fans losing patience over the lack of transfer movement so far.
Indeed, the biggest move made so far has been Everton recalling Harrison Armstrong from his loan with Preston, after the 18-year-old midfielder scored one goal and provided one assist in 17 Championship appearances for North End this season.
Signing a striker and right-back are known to be top priorities for Everton this month, but as of yet, no breakthrough has been made on either of those fronts.
George Finney makes instant impression after Everton exit
So, whilst the focus remains on incomings, Everton have been able to quietly source a loan move for highly-rated right-back George Finney.
The 18-year-old academy graduate has joined Scottish Championship side Ayr United on loan for the remainder of the season, with Celtic hero Scott Brown hoping to guide the club to Premiership promotion this term.
And, as relayed by Liverpool Echo reporter Joe Thomas via X, Finney enjoyed a “dream start” to life at his new club.
He went straight into Ayr’s starting XI for their Challenge Cup clash with Stranraer on Tuesday night, and the Everton youngster marked his debut with a goal to boot as Ayr ran out 4-1 winners, with Finney scoring the third.
Finney could be fast-tracked into Everton first-team plans soon
With a changing of the guard coming at right-back with Seamus Coleman out of contract in the summer, and Moyes not appearing set on either one of Nathan Patterson or Jake O’Brien as long-term answers at the position, there’s perhaps no better time to be an emerging young right-back at Everton.
So, if Finney can build on his perfect start to life at Ayr United, then he could well return to Merseyside in the summer with a big opportunity to make an impression on Moyes in pre-season.
- Finney has made 18 appearances for Everton’s Under-21s
- He’s played 48 times for the Under-18s, scoring two goals
- Finney has played seven times in Premier League 2 in 2025-26, registering one assist
That could depend on what Everton are able to do in the market this month, but should they come out of the winter window without having strengthened at right-back, or should any new arrival endure a rocky first few months as a Toffees player, then Finney could be given the chance to win a first-team role for the 2026-27 season.
Stay up to date this winter with our Everton transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Hill Dickinson, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.