Everton Scouting: Page, Porto Trio and Ebnoutalib

A look at Everton’s scouting focus after the window, including Louis Page at Leicester, three Porto-based options, and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes Ebnoutalib, plus thoughts on timing and value.

With all the Man City talk at the minute, I thought I'd get away from that for a bit and have a look at what we're actually doing behind the scenes at Everton.

So I've been keeping an eye on where our scouts have been going since the transfer window closed, and there are some interesting names I have heard mentioned.

One of the players we've been watching closely is Louis Page at Leicester.

He's only 18 but he's already playing senior football and there's a lot to like. Technically very good, comfortable on the ball, good range of passing and he's got a bit of creativity about him. He also got two assists in the game our scouts were at.

He's obviously still got plenty to learn physically and defensively, but that's exactly why you scout someone like this now rather than when every club in the country knows about him.

Porto

We've had eyes on Porto recently and there are three players in particular who I think we could have been keeping an eye on.

William Gomes is probably the one I'd be most excited about. 20-year-old Brazilian winger, quick, technically good and likes taking players on. We need more players who are prepared to get the ball and actually run at defenders.

Gabri Veiga is a completely different proposition. He's 24, technically excellent, can carry the ball and link midfield with the attack. Much more of a ready-made player, although the fee would obviously be a major factor.

Then there's Alan Varela.

I really like the idea of this one. Proper defensive midfielder, reads the game well, wins the ball and gives you that protection in front of the defence. He's already got plenty of experience at a high level too.

Striker

And then there's the striker I've been particularly interested in.

Younes Ebnoutalib at Eintracht Frankfurt.

We know we wanted another striker in the summer and Balogun didn't happen. Ebnoutalib is 23 and has started the season very well in Germany. He's got pace, good movement and he's the sort of striker who wants to get in behind rather than just stand with his back to goal.

He's also got enough physical presence to lead the line.

The big question is the price. If the figures around £50m are anywhere near accurate, that's a serious investment for a player who is still relatively unproven at the highest level. I like the player, but I'd want us to be absolutely certain before spending that sort of money.

The Porto names aren't me saying we've decided we're signing them, but these are the sort of players I've been seeing our scouting network looking at and they're very different profiles.

And that's actually what I'm encouraged by.

We're not just looking at one position. We're looking at young players with potential, established midfielders, attacking players and the striker position.

Page is probably the one I'd be keeping the closest eye on because of his age and the potential there. Ebnoutalib is obviously the one that interests me most from a first-team point of view because we know a striker was an area we wanted to strengthen.

What I like most is that this work is already happening now, rather than waiting until January.

Identify them early. Watch them properly. Get the data on them. Watch how they perform against different opposition. Work out whether they actually fit what we're trying to do.

Then when January comes, we're not scrambling around looking for anyone who happens to be available.

Written by OptimumShots October 4 2026 13:05:52