Everton are looking for a new right-back, and a surprise development over at Inter Milan may not be good news.
The Toffees are looking to strengthen the right side of their defence as a matter of priority.
Now Hackney is confirmed, who should Everton be bringing in next? 💰
Time to take our foot off the brake pedal in the market…
Seamus Coleman has now left and Nathan Patterson is likely to be sold. The idea is to move Jake O’Brien into the middle.
There have been links to several players so far this summer.
However, Everton could now face a real battle over Guela Doue and Brooke Norton-Cuffy, after a surprising turn of events at Inter Milan.
Potential competition from Inter Milan for Everton in right-back hunt
It had been reported that Inter were on the verge of signing Anan Khalaili, who ironically was a target for Everton.
However, yesterday, Fabrizio Romano took to X to share that the move has now fallen through, with Khalaili failing his medical at the Italian giants.
After watching him for England vs Croatia, I’m convinced he’d be the perfect right-back signing this summer! 🔥
Personal terms and a transfer fee had both been agreed, but the move will now not go ahead.
And this isn’t good for Everton, because Inter have been linked with several right-backs who the Toffees also reportedly want.
Firstly, Inter have shown interest in Guela Doue (via Tuttomercatoweb), who’s been linked with Everton although could be too expensive.
Inter have also been linked with Brooke Norton-Cuffy (via Gazzetta dello Sport), who is said to be back on Everton’s radar (via La Repubblica). He would be a cheaper alternative.
And Romano also reported last night that after the collapsed Khalaili, Inter could now turn their attention to Djed Spence.
Spence seemingly came onto Everton’s radar during the World Cup, and his performances out in North America have drawn attention to him.
So Inter’s move for Khalaili falling through is really not ideal.
But of course, the Italian giants will not sign all of these alternatives.
It’s up to Everton now to act decisively to get the player they really want. Inter are a huge club who can offer Champions League football, but hopefully the Toffees’ project will be of interest to some of these players.
There is the notion of Everton now going for Khalaili following his collapsed move to Inter.
But the club may well have reservations about his condition and focus on other alternatives.
Spence would perhaps be the most ideal player to sign given his Premier League experience and versatility.
But his showings at the World Cup may put him out of Everton’s reach financially, with Tottenham Hotspur surely hopeful of capitalising.
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