Everton have hit gold on "magic" ace who's worth millions more than Alcaraz

And just like that, another transfer window has slammed closed. It was a somewhat anti-climatic end to the winter market, but Everton still managed to get a deal done.

Gone are the days of frantic and breathless deadline-day drama. Manchester City were the only team to bring a player into their first-team squad for a transfer fee (Brighton's new forward, Stefanos Tzimas, not joining until the end of the season).

Everton weren't able to sign a new centre-forward, but David Moyes will be delighted with the signing of Charly Alcaraz from Flamengo.

Why Everton have signed Charly Alcaraz

Everton still lack a fresh striker to spearhead the new Moyes era. However, Alcaraz's dynamism and fluidity across a number of midfield positions will serve to thread offensive positions together.

Last summer, Alcaraz joined Flamengo for an €18m (fee £15m) fee. It was the Brasileiro Serie A club's record signing.

Now, he's back in the Premier League, arriving at Goodison Park on loan until the end of the season, although a permanent buy option worth £12m will be activated should Alcaraz complete an undisclosed number of top-flight appearances.

Able in the middle of the park and playing off the central striker's shadow, the 22-year-old brings some flair and excitement, crucially already having played 19 times in the Premier League with Southampton, notching four goals and two assists.

Alcaraz has a budding playmaking skill and will seek to thread balls through to Beto. However, there's a member of Moyes' squad who can achieve this to a greater effect.

Frustratingly, he's yet to grace the field under the Scotsman's management.

The Everton star who is worth more than Alcaraz

Dwight McNeil has missed Everton's past nine Premier League matches with a knee injury and is still expected to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

The attacking midfielder had been applauded by reporter Joe Thomas for his "magic" ability on the ball and will be a central cog in the Moyes machine when he does return, but Alcaraz will be able to operate in his area for now, with Abdoulaye Doucoure struggling to impress in his advanced deployment.

McNeil started the campaign in fine fettle, serving as a creative hub for a Sean Dyche side that was decidedly lacking in inspiration, posting three goals and three assists from eight opening Premier League games.

Dwight McNeil - Premier League Stats (24/25) Match Stats* # Matches (starts) 13 (13) Goals 3 Assists 3 Shots (on target)* 1.8 ( 0.6) Big chances missed 0 Pass completion 81% Big chances created 9 Key passes* 2.5 Dribble (success)* 1.5 (56%) Ball recoveries* 4.8 Tackles + interceptions* 1.2 Duels (won)* 3.5 (40%) Stats via Sofascore (* = per game)

Energetic, potent and invariably creative, McNeil's absence over the past few months undoubtedly added to the sapped nature of Dyche's attacking line.

The 25-year-old has gone from strength to strength on Merseyside since leaving relegated Burnley for £20m in July 2022 and he's sure to be excited about the future now that Moyes is in the dugout.

As per Football Transfers, the ball-playing specialist is worth £24m at present, about double the figure that was agreed for Alcaraz's prospective permanent signing this summer.

It's also worth noting that only two months ago, McNeil boasted a market value of £34m, with his fitness purgatory seemingly the cause of the depreciation, for his performances over the opening months of the campaign were worthy of such a figure.

In any case, Everton have hit the jackpot with this one, but with both Alcaraz and McNeil in the mix, there are exciting signs of stepping toward a more modern and expansive tactical style.

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