Why Everton cannot afford to sell Tim Iroegbunam this summer

Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart have both added Tim Iroegbunam to their summer shortlists according to reports via SportsBoom, but Everton’s position has been unwavering: the 22-year-old is not for sale at any price, and the departure of Idrissa Gana Gueye has made that stance more important than at any previous point in Iroegbunam’s time at Goodison Park.

The interest from Germany is not new. Everton rejected an approach from Lazio in January and Hull City and Ipswich were linked with £20 million moves earlier in June before that interest cooled. What has changed is the context around the player. Gueye’s contract expired on June 30 and Iroegbunam is now the only player in Everton’s squad who replicates the defensive screening function Gueye provided in front of the back four for the past two seasons.

Why Iroegbunam matters more now Gueye has left

Hayden Hackney’s arrival from Middlesbrough addresses a different need entirely. Hackney is a progressive, deep-lying passer, a different profile from the defensive shield Gueye operated as. That distinction matters because it means Iroegbunam’s role within the Everton system has become more important following the Hackney signing, not less. There is no cover for the specific function Iroegbunam performs. If he leaves, Everton have no natural replacement already at the club.

His numbers explain the interest from Germany and reflect how significantly his role has grown under David Moyes. Minutes rose from 564 in his first season to 1,486 last term. He made 31 appearances across all competitions, started 18 Premier League matches and has developed from squad depth into a first-team fixture in the space of a single year. He arrived from Aston Villa in 2024 for a fee that looked modest given his limited senior appearances at the time, a valuation that has since been comprehensively justified by his development under Moyes.

Why Dortmund and Stuttgart are interested in Tim Iroegbunam

Both Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart have established reputations for identifying and developing young English talent, and Iroegbunam’s physical profile and ball-carrying ability suit Bundesliga football well. His contract runs until 2027, giving Everton control over the situation for now. That same contract length, however, means a fresh approach from either German club could resurface at any point before it enters its final year, at which point Everton’s negotiating position weakens considerably if an extension has not been agreed.

What Iroegbunam’s future looks like at Everton

For now, player and club are aligned. Iroegbunam is reported to be settled at Everton and focused on the first-team football Moyes has provided rather than pushing for a move. That alignment is why this remains a watching brief rather than an active saga. But with two Bundesliga clubs showing genuine interest, Gueye gone and no natural replacement for his defensive screening role in the squad, Everton have a situation they need to manage proactively rather than assume will resolve itself over time. Iroegbunam may be the most important player in the squad heading into next season precisely because of how irreplaceable he has become.