Having stunned the Premier League with the loan signing of Jack Grealish from Manchester City, Everton manager David Moyes is determined to strengthen further before the season’s first whistle.
With a visit to Elland Road on Monday, attention has shifted to finding the perfect right-sided partner for their new star.
The Toffees’ recruitment drive has seen them monitor several options.
Leicester’s Abdul Fatawu has been tracked after an encouraging display in the Foxes’ season opener against Sheffield Wednesday, while Southampton’s Tyler Dibling has also been a target.
Multiple bids for the 19-year-old have been rejected, with Saints holding out for £45m plus £5m in add-ons and a 25% sell-on clause.
Dibling has been training away from the first team and is expected to hold talks with his club to address his future.
Everton's Right-Wing Vision
Yet, another name has entered the frame.
One who could bring creativity, intelligence, and composure to Everton’s right flank, potentially forging a formidable partnership with Grealish in the final third.
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According to reports in Spain, a number of English teams including Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United have made efforts to sign Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo – a player widely regarded as one of La Liga’s most technically gifted attackers.
The 24-year-old Japan international joined Sociedad permanently in July 2022 after several loan spells from Real Madrid and immediately became a fan favourite, winning the club’s Player of the Season award in 2022/23.
Kubo’s current contract runs until June 2029, meaning Sociedad are under no pressure to sell.
His release clause is thought to be just over £50m, meaning the aforementioned teams will need to raise their bids, having only offered £34m to date.
Real Madrid, having sold him for just £5.6m, retain a 50% sell-on clause, adding another layer of complexity to any negotiations.
Liverpool have been linked in the past, with midfielder Wataru Endo even naming Kubo as the player he would most like to join him at Anfield, labelling him a “future superstar”.
But it is Everton who are now assessing whether the forward could fill the gap left by Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom, both of whom returned to their parent clubs this summer.
Kubo is open to a new challenge and is believed to be interested in a Premier League move, though he also has admirers in La Liga and the Bundesliga.
Why Kubo and Grealish Could Thrive Together
On paper, the prospect of Kubo on the right and Grealish on the left is a tantalising one for Everton supporters.
Both are adept in the final third, capable of driving at defenders, threading incisive passes, and holding the ball under pressure.
Their combined vision and dribbling would stretch defences horizontally, opening space for Everton’s new striker Thierno Barry to exploit with his runs in behind. According to FBref, Barry already ranks among the top percentiles for crosses received, making him an ideal focal point for two wingers who excel at delivery from wide areas.
A look at the numbers from each player’s best season reveals some striking similarities.
In 2022/23, Kubo averaged 4.32 progressive carries per 90 minutes to Grealish’s 6.27, while their progressive passing numbers (2.99 for Kubo, 4.39 for Grealish) indicate a shared ability to advance play and break lines.
Grealish’s passing completion rate of 84.1% eclipses Kubo’s 71%, but both produce consistently in shot-creating actions (3.55 for Kubo, 4.55 for Grealish) and successful take-ons (1.81 for Kubo, 1.97 for Grealish).
Their combined influence could be particularly devastating against deep-lying opponents.
Grealish’s tendency to slow the game, draw defenders, and release overlapping full-backs would complement Kubo’s ability to drift into central positions.
Kubo’s high volume of crosses also adds a different element to Everton’s build-up play, enabling Barry to dominate aerially while midfield runners attack second balls.
Another factor is defensive work rate. Both players understand the modern demand for wide forwards to press and recover possession quickly, something Moyes values highly.
Grealish has been coached in Pep Guardiola’s smart pressing schemes, while Kubo’s work under Imanol Alguacil at Sociedad has honed his ability to win the ball high and transition quickly into attack.
This diligence means Everton wouldn’t be sacrificing defensive solidity for flair.
Jack Grealish
1.62
Takefusa Kubo
1.10
In the wider context of the Premier League, a Kubo-Grealish combination offers Everton something different from their rivals.
Many clubs boast pacey wingers who thrive on direct runs in behind; fewer can call upon two highly technical wide creators capable of orchestrating attacks as much as finishing them.
This could be the key to unlocking stubborn defences – a problem that has plagued Everton in recent seasons.
From a tactical standpoint, Everton’s midfield structure would also benefit.
With Kubo tucking inside at times to combine with central players, Grealish could hold width on the opposite flank, creating natural overloads.
Full-backs would have space to advance, and the team would be able to alternate between short, intricate combinations and quick switches of play to exploit defensive gaps.
Of course, the move hinges on whether Everton are willing to meet Sociedad’s valuation.
Kubo would represent a significant investment, though his age, contract length, and proven output in a top European league suggest strong long-term value.
In a summer where Everton have already made headlines with the arrival of Grealish, pairing him with Kubo could transform their attacking profile entirely.
