Everton have struggled their way through the summer transfer window, but if David Moyes' side's performances to start the season are anything to go by, this could be an exciting year for the Toffees.

Crystal Palace were dispatched last week, a 2-0 win at the Hill Dickinson to start the Premier League term. Now Preston North End have been put to the sword, a 4-0 win at Deepdale illustrating the club's ambition to compete this year, with a strong line-up fielded.

We're all aware of this, but Everton still need signings - especially at right-back, and in attack too. Iliman Ndiaye's possible exit hums like an annoying fly in the face of the Everton persuasion, though Thierno Barry's hat-trick against Preston has shown that Moyes may have some exciting attacking talent at his disposal this term.

Why this is a big year for Thierno Barry

Last summer, Everton signed Barry from Villarreal for £27m, seemingly ending their hoodoo at No. 9 by securing one of the most exciting young strikers on the market.

It was a choppy first year in the Premier League for the Frenchman, but he showcased plenty of potential, and now looks ready to assume a more influential role, with his three-goal performance in the Carabao Cup following an important strike to double the Blues' advantage over Palace days before.

Four goals already. Barry appears to have taken Beto's end-of-season purple patch in 2025/26 personally, determined to keep his hulking rival out of the starting line-up.

It's the kind of healthy competition Moyes wanted last term, but more often than not, one of the two would flatter to deceive up top, working their way out of contention for a starting berth.

Now, Everton are starting to click into gear, but they still need more creativity and a few more dimensions in attack. The transfer market might be the answer there, and Moyes has just the solution in mind.

Late transfer at Everton could be a dream for Barry

Everton have a problem. Ndiaye wants to remain in the Premier League, which is all well and good, but as Manchester City's interest grows, it's becoming clear that keeping hold of the Senegalese winger for another week might be a bit tricky.

Everton will bank a pretty penny, should he be sold, and they already have their sights set on a solution, with transfer reporter Ben Jacobs revealing that Jack Grealish has decided he would like to re-join Everton, should he leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Aston Villa, Grealish's boyhood club, have also held talks, but his preference is to return to the city where he rekindled his love for the sport last season, scoring twice and registering six assists in the Premier League before a foot injury ended his season early in January.

Before then, Grealish had been hailed for his impact. "His presence has brought a sense of belief back to the dressing room," remarked The Athletic's Paddy Boyland after he inspired a win over Bournemouth in December 2025.

It's a shame that Barry hadn't yet discovered how to shoot on English soil. Now, that's changing, with the bouncing goalscorer in fine fettle at the start of his second season. Partner him with Grealish, and Moyes could be in the money.

Last term, the Three Lions playmaker created two chances per game for the Blues. He also won 5.3 duels per match and found himself taking on a talismanic role from the get-go, all things flowing through him.

Grealish's smart passing and focal role could see him combine effortlessly with a striker in Barry who is getting sharper by the matchweek. After all, though the 23-year-old left a lot to be desired last term, he still scored eight top-flight goals, missing only ten big chances. That is hardly an outrageous return.

Last season, Grealish made quite the start at Everton. It's a shame he wasn't able to see the season out.

But his rushing well of creativity could prove the perfect combination for a young striker in Barry who is starting to find his feet.