Everton Targeting Marcus Tavernier for Squad Rebuild

Everton’s recruitment drive may not be done yet – and one former senior scout at the club believes Marcus Tavernier could be the next piece of the puzzle.

The Bournemouth midfielder has emerged as a live option for the Merseyside side, with ex-Everton talent spotter King arguing the 25-year-old is entering the prime years of his career and fits exactly what the squad is missing.

“He’s a gainer in the 25, 26, 27 age, isn’t he? So, you know, you’re looking at him, again, good age. He’s done well,” King told Football Insider, stressing both Tavernier’s profile and timing in the market.

What really catches the eye for King is the range of roles Tavernier can cover.

“He can play midfield, he can play wide. You know, he could be an interesting player to bring in with Johnson. He could certainly lift the midfield, couldn’t he?”

That versatility has long been a key part of Tavernier’s game, from his days at Middlesbrough to his development at Bournemouth, where he has operated centrally, off the flank, and in more advanced positions.

King also pointed to Bournemouth’s track record in the market as a sign of the player’s value.

“He’s done well at Bournemouth. You know, when you look at Bournemouth’s recruitment, it’s been very good, hasn’t it? I mean, Christ, they’ve made a lot of money on sale of players. Bringing them in cheapish and selling them for big money.”

The interest from Everton is not just idle talk. On 9 August, journalist Ben Jacobs reported that the club had already taken initial steps, revealing on his X account: “Understand Everton have made an enquiry on Marcus Tavernier. Initial talks on the player side. No approach to Bournemouth.”

So the lines of communication are open with the player’s camp, even if no formal move has gone in to the south-coast club yet.

If Everton do push ahead and strike a deal, Tavernier would join a sweeping overhaul of Sean Dyche’s options. The former Middlesbrough man would follow Brennan Johnson, Merlin Rohl, Tyrique George, Hayden Hackney, and Christian Norgaard into a revamped squad built to drag the club away from the annual relegation fight.

The question now is whether Everton turn that enquiry into a bid and trust Tavernier to be one of the leaders of this new, leaner, more mobile midfield.