David Moyes and Everton are unlikely to accept Carlos Alcaraz’s transfer clause this summer due to a mix of financial limitations, the specifics of his loan agreement, and cautious long-term squad planning. Alcaraz, currently on loan from Flamengo, joined Everton in January with a conditional purchase clause embedded in the deal. That clause reportedly requires Everton to buy him for around £12.5 million if he makes a certain number of league starts—not just appearances. As of early 2025, Alcaraz had mostly featured from the bench, making it unlikely that the automatic trigger for a permanent transfer will be activated.
This appears to be a deliberate strategy by Everton and Moyes. Under pressure from the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), Everton has very little room to maneuver financially. The club has already faced penalties for breaches of these rules and is under close scrutiny, which makes any new financial commitments—especially one as sizable as Alcaraz’s fee—difficult to justify without certainty of the player’s impact.
Additionally, there is a safety net clause in Alcaraz’s loan deal that allows Everton to terminate the agreement if the player suffers a serious injury before the clause is triggered. This kind of clause indicates Everton’s preference to maintain flexibility rather than committing to a high-risk, long-term obligation.
From a tactical perspective, Moyes is known for being conservative in the transfer market and prefers players who fit his system and show consistent, reliable performance. With Alcaraz still adapting to the Premier League and facing stiff competition for minutes in midfield, it’s unlikely Moyes sees him as a guaranteed starter just yet. That uncertainty further reduces the likelihood of Everton pushing to activate the clause voluntarily.
The club’s new owners, the Friedkin Group, are also focused on financial discipline and sustainability. They are expected to support Moyes in rebuilding the squad carefully, rather than splashing out on players who haven’t proven themselves over time.
In short, unless Alcaraz breaks into the starting XI regularly and impresses with consistent performances, Everton will likely avoid triggering his transfer clause. Moyes and the club are prioritizing financial prudence, regulatory compliance, and careful squad development over risky or premature
spending.
