Josh Brownhill to be signing of the summer for Everton as new Burnley exit news emerges

Everton are hoping for a more lucrative transfer window this summer than a winter in which they were scraping the barrel.

David Moyes openly admitted the Toffees wanted to sign high-calibre players but were prevented from doing so by the PSR restrictions that have previously plagued them.

Carlos Alcaraz turned out to be the only arrival as he joined on loan from Flamengo, making a positive impact in a much-improved Moyes outfit that have effectively sealed safety for next term.

Everton back in for Josh Brownhill from Burnley

Everton have been no strangers to Burnley in recent years, with several figures having been part of both clubs including James Tarkowski, Dwight McNeil and of course, Sean Dyche.

They looked to add to that in January when they chased experienced Clarets midfielder Josh Brownhill, whose contract at Turf Moor expires in June.

Brownhill has been superb in the Championship this season, smashing 13 goals from midfield in a side which prides itself on a defensive record that sees Burnley challenging for the automatic promotion spots, spiking the renewed Everton interest in his services (EFL Analysis, 26 March).

The 29-year-old recently surpassed 200 appearances in the claret shirt, having been a mainstay since signing from Bristol City in 2020, and is likely to be awaiting Burnley's league fate before making a contract extension.

Everton may have failed with their 11th-hour interest in Brownhill in the winter, but now the power is out of the hands of Scott Parker's side. A free transfer could be hugely appealing for a player with considerable Premier League pedigree.

Brownhill could be the key cog Moyes needs

Moyes' midfield could be decimated this summer. Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure are out of contract, while James Garner - contracted until 2026 - has been linked with an exit and has had injury issues.

Reinforcements will be needed no matter what, which could make Brownhill's potential arrival the most critical of any to arrive at Bramley-Moore Dock this year.

Under the Friedkins, Everton fans will of course want the type of signings reminiscent of Moyes' first stint, challenging regularly in Europe. Brownhill might not necessarily fit that bill of glamour.

But the rough comes with the smooth, and an experienced midfield operator like the long-serving Burnley ace might just be the type of free transfer which acts as a perfect complement to the big-money (to an extent) flair.

A transfer window for Moyes to get his teeth into with the recruitment staff could be a sight for keen eyes in the coming months.