Everton need a full-back desperately, and ahead of their match with Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, will fear the worst.
After all, whoever is selected to occupy the current vacant right-back slot will have the trio of Destiny Udogie, James Maddison and Heung-min Son to contend with.
Even the best player in the world in that position would struggle.
Fortunately, Sean Dyche is well aware of this, and is finally making great strides towards solving this outstanding issue.
Everton want to sign Kieran Trippier
Their desperation to snag a new full-back has been well-documented, but for whatever reason they are yet to meaningfully wade into the market for one.
That is, despite having no fit right-back to play this Saturday, and Vitaliy Mykolenko as the only option on the other flank.
Well, The Athletic have just released a fresh report that should have Evertonians delighted, as it reveals their interest in Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier just days after Everton bid for another right-back.
It reads: ‘Kieran Trippier wants to leave Newcastle United before the transfer window closes, with Everton among the clubs keen to sign the England full-back.
‘Everton intend to strengthen in Trippier’s favoured position and have held initial conversations with Newcastle to express interest in bringing him to Merseyside on loan.’
Evertonians will remember Trippier’s ‘nightmare’ trip to Goodison Park last season, as described by Tim Sherwood, where he gifted them two goals in a 3-0 Premier League win over the Magpies.
Kieran Trippier would be a perfect signing for Everton
There are so many reasons why Tripper would mark a fantastic signing for Everton, and also plenty more reasons why it would be a fine move for the 33-year-old too.
The only downside for the club is his age, but given their current reliance on a 39-year-old Ashley Young, at least they are moving in the right direction.
Not to mention that the Newcastle United man have proven himself a more than capable asset for a side consistently chasing European football, as a creative threat from deep.
Having already worked with Dyche before too, there is a link that could tempt him, and he would be guaranteed far more game time than he is currently set to get under Eddie Howe, who has started to employ two young new full-backs.
The outstanding problems at Goodison Park can be traced back to their failure to sign a right-back to replace Seamus Coleman, and whilst Trippier is no long-term successor, he’s definitely an upgrade.
At this stage, anything is better than what they currently have, and his ability to play left or right-back only adds to the reasons why he should be signed.
Kevin Thelwell should rush to tie this one up.
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