The rumour mill is churning once again, and this time it's pointing toward a familiar face making a potential return to Merseyside. Isaac Price, a product of the famed Everton Academy conveyor belt, is being linked with a homecoming to Finch Farm as the Blues look to inject some much-needed energy into their midfield engine room this summer.
Price was a fixture at Finch Farm from the age of seven, rising through the ranks under the watchful eyes of mentors like Leighton Baines and David Unsworth. His talent was undeniable, and he was even fast-tracked to the senior squad by none other than Carlo Ancelotti, making his debut as a late substitute against Boreham Wood in the FA Cup fifth round back in March 2022.
Despite being highly rated by the academy staff—Unsworth once described him as a "box-to-box midfielder with a bit of everything"—Price grew frustrated by the lack of a clear pathway to the first team. With his contract winding down in the summer of 2023, and after impressing in a Sydney Super Cup cameo against Celtic, Price opted to gamble on himself. He rejected Everton's contract offers to join Standard Liège for a development fee of just £400,000, a move that left many Evertonians wondering if the club had let another gem slip through their fingers for a pittance.
After a productive spell in Belgium, Price was snapped up by West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee in January 2025, and he has since become the undisputed heartbeat of the Baggies' midfield. This season, he has been a revelation in the Championship, with his "technical recital" and "never-ending energy" making him indispensable for both club and country. The stats tell the story of a player who has finally found his feet: he has become a mainstay for Northern Ireland, recently completing full 90-minute shifts in World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Luxembourg. From midfield, he has chipped in with crucial goals, including a recent strike in a 3-0 demolition of Watford where he also provided an assist. And while naturally a central midfielder, he has even been deployed on the flanks at times, showcasing his flexibility and tactical awareness.
For Everton, a club that prides itself on its academy heritage, bringing Price back into the fold would be a statement of intent. It would not only address a clear need for energy in the middle of the park but also serve as a reminder that the path from Finch Farm to Goodison Park is still very much open. Whether the price is right for this homecoming remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Isaac Price is a player who has finally come into his own, and the Blues would be wise to take notice.