Merlin Röhl Everton transfer confirmed after survival triggers €23m clause

Everton are set to complete the permanent signing of Merlin Röhl after securing their Premier League status, with a €23 million clause now triggered following their survival.

The midfielder joined on loan from SC Freiburg in 2025, and according to reports in Germany, the agreement included a mandatory purchase option tied to Everton avoiding relegation this season.

Everton’s current position in the table has activated the clause, with David Moyes’ side now mathematically safe from relegation. Sitting 10th with 47 points, they are well clear of the bottom three with only a handful of fixtures remaining.

That outcome automatically converts Röhl’s loan into a permanent transfer, meaning Everton will pay an additional €23 million on top of the initial €2 million loan fee agreed last summer.

The Bundesliga side are now understood to be waiting for the final payment to complete the deal.

Despite arriving with a strong reputation from Germany, Röhl has found regular opportunities difficult to secure during his first season in England. He has made just 12 appearances, totalling 358 minutes across all competitions.

Midfield competition has played a major role in that situation. Idrissa Gueye, James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have been preferred options, while younger players have also featured ahead of him at times.

From the matches we’ve covered involving Everton this season, consistency in midfield selection has been a key part of their stability, particularly during their climb away from the relegation zone.

However, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions on Röhl’s long-term impact, especially given the adaptation period often required for players moving from the Bundesliga to the Premier League.

The activation of the clause effectively makes Röhl Everton’s first confirmed signing ahead of the summer transfer window. While the deal was agreed in advance, its completion now shapes part of the club’s squad planning for next season.

The focus will likely shift towards whether the 23-year-old can establish a more prominent role after a full year of adaptation.

Everton are expected to finalise the payment to SC Freiburg in the coming weeks, officially completing the transfer. Attention will then turn to pre-season preparations, where Röhl will aim to secure a more consistent role in the squad. Further recruitment decisions are also likely as Moyes looks to strengthen key areas ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.