Everton have reached a deal to bring Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Goodison Park, with the total value of the agreement expected to reach around £28 million. The breakdown includes an upfront cost of £24 million and a potential £3-4 million in bonuses. The 26-year-old is now set to finalize personal terms and complete a medical assessment, despite late advances from Fulham.
Initially hesitant to depart Stamford Bridge, Dewsbury-Hall was swayed after playing a limited role in a successful Chelsea campaign. The club secured silverware in both the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup and also earned qualification for next season’s Champions League. With competition for midfield spots fierce, Chelsea was open to offloading him in order to balance the books.
Dewsbury-Hall had joined the Blues in a £30 million deal from Leicester City in 2024, reuniting with his former Foxes manager Enzo Maresca. While the midfielder adjusted well to tactical demands, consistent minutes were hard to come by. Despite this, he contributed positively in European competition and left the club with five goals to his name.
Limited impact at Stamford Bridge
The move to West London marked a significant step up for Dewsbury-Hall after an outstanding season in the Championship. He had turned down Brighton to help Leicester attempt Premier League survival, only for the Foxes to eventually approve his exit to satisfy financial requirements tied to league regulations.
Once at Chelsea, Dewsbury-Hall found himself behind several high-profile midfielders, including Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Romeo Lavia. He made just two Premier League starts throughout the campaign. However, he was more influential in Europe, netting four times during the Conference League run and assisting in the final win against Real Betis.
In the Club World Cup, the midfielder mostly featured off the bench but managed to score in a 4-1 win over Benfica and participated in the final victory against PSG. Although he showed flashes of quality, Dewsbury-Hall ultimately became another example of a player who was moved on after only one season.
Chelsea continue squad reshuffle
The Blues are continuing to reshape their squad during the summer window, with multiple exits either completed or under negotiation. French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu is joining Burnley, who are also working to secure a deal for striker Armando Broja. Talks have also resumed between Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund concerning Carney Chukwuemeka.
Offloading players like Dewsbury-Hall has become crucial for the club’s financial compliance, especially after a recent UEFA ruling that requires them to generate a positive net spend this summer. Without that, newly acquired players such as Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, and Liam Delap may not be eligible for Champions League registration.
Meanwhile, Everton are also attempting to add Southampton youngster Tyler Dibling to their ranks. However, after two failed bids, the Merseyside club may walk away from the deal unless the asking price is lowered. Manager David Moyes hinted that further signings are imminent, although he noted delays have been a recurring theme in recent weeks.
Chelsea are still pursuing reinforcements in midfield, with discussions underway for Dutch international Xavi Simons, currently with RB Leipzig.
