Everton remain in the hunt for a new right-back, and there is word of a new target.
Most of the talk at the moment is about Youssef En-Nesyri, with claims made yesterday that Everton made a loan offer.
But by the evening, the speculation about En-Nesyri was being played down.
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But ahead of those claims, it was reported that Everton were prioritising the signing of a new right-back.
There have been links to several players in recent days. Emil Holm has been linked to Everton, as has another Serie A right-back, Brooke Norton-Cuffy.
There were also claims Ben White was a target, but Arsenal are not for letting him leave.
And now, Everton are said to have eyes on a new target.
Everton closely monitoring Yukhym Konoplya
Nathan Patterson did well for Everton against Sunderland last weekend, but it seems there is still a desire for Everton to strengthen at right-back.
There have been reports linking Patterson with an exit again this month, and it seems David Moyes would be happy for his fellow countryman to move on.
Now, it has been reported by Sky journalist Florian Plettenberg that Everton are one of several clubs interested in Ukraine right-back Yukhym Konoplya.
He wrote on X last night: “Werder Bremen, Everton and Ajax are closely monitoring the situation of Yukhym #Konoplya, with more big clubs from the Bundesliga also showing interest.
“Werder Bremen have already held talks. The 26 y/o right-back will be available on a free transfer in the summer, as his contract with Shakhtar Donetsk expires.”
Konoplya has been with Shakhtar Donetsk since he was a youngster and is a product of their academy.
After a loan spell with Desna Chernihiv, he made his first-team debut for the club in August 2021.
To date, Konoplya has made 106 appearances for his club – and put up some decent attacking numbers for a right-back, scoring seven goals and laying on 15 assists.
Vitaliy Mykolenko could be trump card for Everton over Konoplya
So Everton are looking at a Ukrainian right-back, and one wonders if this might be a move Konoplya fancies.
Of course Everton already have one player from Ukraine on the books in Vitaliy Mykolenko, with the pair known to each other from the national team.
Konoplya and Mykolenko are the same age (26, but the former came into the national team picture a couple of years after the Everton man.
Werder Bremen are said to have held talks already, so Everton mustn’t waste too much time if he’s someone they intend to pursue.
Given his contract situation, there is a chance for someone to snap him up in a cut-price deal now. Or there is potential for a club to reach a pre-contract agreement for him to sign in the summer for free.
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