Everton in Talks to Sign “Strong” and “Athletic” Premier League Midfielder – Could Replace Gueye

The second era of David Moyes at Everton has officially begun.

 

Moyes’ return got off to a disappointing start with a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on Wednesday.

 

However, Sunday’s performance was a completely different story as Everton defeated Tottenham Hotspur decisively.

 

The Toffees surged into a 3-0 lead by halftime. Dominic Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring, netting his first goal since September.

 

Iliman Ndiaye doubled the lead with a stunning solo effort, and an own goal in injury time sent the Gwladys Street End into jubilation.

Tottenham attempted a comeback in the second half, scoring twice, but their efforts were too little, too late.

 

Everton held on for a crucial victory, moving four points clear of the relegation zone.

 

With an upcoming trip to Brighton on Saturday, Everton may look to strengthen their squad by targeting one of Brighton’s players.

 

Everton Eyeing Midfield Reinforcements

 

According to Mark Brus of Caught Offside, Everton and Leicester City have both reportedly held discussions with Brighton & Hove Albion about signing Jakub Moder.

 

Last week, reports, including one from David Ornstein of The Athletic, indicated that Moder was set to join Eredivisie giants Feyenoord.

 

However, both Everton and Leicester have made late attempts to secure the Polish international’s signature.

 

Moder’s contract expires this summer, which led Brighton to agree on a deal to sell him to Feyenoord for a modest €1.5 million (£1.27 million).

 

 

This affordable price tag has attracted two of the Premier League’s most financially constrained clubs, eager to secure a bargain signing.

 

The 25-year-old joined Brighton from Lech Poznań in 2020 for a reported £9 million.

 

He quickly became a key player, making a significant impact from January 2021 until April 2022.

 

Unfortunately, Moder suffered an ACL rupture against Norwich City, forcing him to miss the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

 

He was sidelined for the entire 2022/23 season, finally returning to action in November 2023 against Nottingham Forest, after spending 602 days recovering.

 

What Jakub Moder Could Bring to Everton

This season, Moder has played more minutes for Poland than for Brighton (167 compared to 160).

 

As a result, Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler is open to letting him leave during this transfer window.

 

At his best, Moder has been praised by Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout as “strong, athletic, versatile, tactically intelligent, and a good passer.”

 

Given Brighton’s willingness to offer a cut-price deal, Moder appears to be a worthwhile gamble for Everton.

 

Everton’s midfield options are currently limited due to injuries.

 

Tim Iroegbunam has been out since October with a foot injury, and James Garner is also sidelined.

 

In their absence, Moyes has relied on Idrissa Gana Gueye, Orel Mangala, and Abdoulaye Doucouré, with teenager Harrison Armstrong as the only other available midfielder.

 

Gana Gueye delivered a standout performance in Everton’s victory over Tottenham, earning Sofascore’s statistical Man of the Match title.

 

Analyst Statman James on Twitter described Gueye’s display as “absolutely class.” However, comparing Gueye and Moder reveals different strengths.

 

While Gueye has played nearly 3,000 more minutes than Moder during the past few seasons—largely due to Moder’s lengthy injury layoff—his style is more combative.

 

Gueye excels in tackles, blocks, and interceptions, but his contributions in attack are minimal.

Since August 2022, he has managed just four goals and four assists in almost 100 appearances.

 

Moder, though not prolific, offers a slightly greater attacking threat.

 

Considering Everton’s struggles in front of goal—they’ve failed to score in nine of their last 12 Premier League matches—his potential contributions in attack would be a valuable addition.

 

Moreover, at 25 years old, Moder is ten years younger than Gueye.

 

Over time, he could emerge as a long-term replacement for the Senegalese midfielder in Moyes’ system.

 

The Road Ahead

 

As Everton prepare for their trip to Brighton, signing Jakub Moder could provide a significant boost to their squad.

 

With his blend of tactical intelligence, physicality, and forward-thinking abilities, Moder has the potential to complement and eventually succeed Gana Gueye in Everton’s midfield.

For a club navigating financial constraints and fighting to climb the table, securing Moder’s signature could be a smart investment.