Everton are yet to bring in any new faces this summer, but there is now speculation that Kyle Walker has emerged as a target.
Everton have yet to burst into life this summer, having mainly been dealing with player exits so far.
A handful of players have left, and only Carlos Alcaraz has signed, although the Argentine was here previously on loan.
Transfer links have been plentiful though, and Everton have been linked with a number of players from Manchester City thus far.
Jack Grealish, James McAtee, John Stones and Kalvin Phillips have also been mentioned as potential signings.
But the latest player Everton are looking at from City is Kyle Walker.
Walker has just finished up a loan spell with AC Milan, and will be leaving the Etihad Stadium this summer.
Clearly, he is not the same player he was a few years ago – but what Conor Coady said of him a couple of years ago might suggest him as being a strong addition.
Conor Coady claimed Kyle Walker is amazing with young players, as Everton target Man City full-back
Realistically, this could be a tricky move for Everton to pull off.
Walker is on huge wages at City, and it is unclear if the Toffees would be able to match his demands, or if the player would be willing to take a pay cut.
That said, it has been suggested Everton could ‘stretch more’ this summer, with Walker appreciated by Moyes.
Of course, Walker is hugely experienced at the age of 35, having captained both City and England.
But there is an aspect of Walker’s leadership that Moyes may well be really keen to take advantage of – and that is the way he is with young players.
Former Everton loanee Conor Coady said of Walker in 2023 (via BBC Sport): “He’s massive around the place. The character he is, the sort of person he is. The way he speaks to younger players, the example he sets.
“I couldn’t speak more highly of him in terms of what he brings.”
Coady also said of Walker around a month later (via BBC Sport): “He’s got a presence about him, an aura about him, boys naturally look up to him. He goes about his business in the right way and for young players coming through to learn off someone like Walks is really really good.”
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Everton will prioritise the academy
The Friedkin Group are keen to improve the academy at Everton, and the hope is that the club will start to produce more talents for the first-team.
What is vitally important is that there is a bridge between the academy and the first-team, and a feeling for those youngsters that first-team football is an achievable goal.
Walker may be past his best as a player. But clearly, he’s someone who brings a lot away from the pitch.
If there would be a willingness for Walker to perhaps drop his wages, then he could be a smart addition for Everton.
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