Everton informed summer target’s release clause has now risen ahead of January window

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Everton ended the summer transfer window in style with the deadline day signing of Merlin Rohl.

David Moyes saw his squad completely transformed over the course of the summer, with huge player turnover on Merseyside.

However, there may have been a feeling that more could have been done in certain positions.

Everton News understands that on deadline day Everton were keen to sign two defenders, amid the ongoing injury issues at Finch Farm.

Three games into the 2025/26 Premier League campaign and Everton are already suffering from a number of injury issues.

Jarrad Branthwaite remains sidelined through a hamstring injury and Vitaliy Mykolenko has returned from international duty to undergo scans.

The Toffees have real concerns over their depth at right-back, which has seen Jake O’Brien start again on the right side of the defence this season.

Everton showed an interest in Kenny Tete earlier in the summer, and there is another right-back who they’ve recently been informed the price tag of.

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Everton informed of Omar El Hilali’s price tag

In the final days of the window, Everton were ready to offload Nathan Patterson, with a deal already in place with Sevilla.

However, the Toffees wanted to ensure they had a direct replacement through the doors before sanctioning his exit.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Everton had shown an interest in Espanyol’s Omar El Hilali.

They were not the only Premier League side to register their interest, with Nottingham Forest and Wolves also on the scene.

It is believed the three Premier League sides and Serie A’s Como all had bids rejected, as Espanyol pointed them towards his €25m (£21.5m) release clause.

After making his debut for Zambia, it is claimed that the right-back’s release clause has risen to €30m (£26m).

Everton had a list of right-back targets for the final days of the window, but now find themselves hoping for no more injury issues.

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Omar El Hilali is a tackling machine

O’Brien has certainly established himself as a solid right-back providing strong defensive ability in his newfound position.

However, Moyes has told O’Brien his long-term future lies at centre-back, which he was initially signed as last summer.

With this in mind, Everton need to find themselves a new player who can become the player for the future at right-back.

El Hilali could be a strong candidate to provide stern defensive cover at right-back, with some staggering numbers behind his performances.

Moyes admitted not every position could be covered in one window, but a new right-back could be top of the agenda ahead of the January window.