Everton’s search for a new right-back remains alive, and the club ought to strongly consider adding Givairo Read to their shortlist.
It’s been reported by Fabrizio Romano this morning that Read has been the subject of a failed transfer bid from Nottingham Forest.
The Premier League side apparently offered £15 million, but that wasn’t enough for Feyenoord, with Forest set to return with an improved offer.
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Everton’s need for a new right-back is great, after Jake O’Brien had a poor end to the 2025/26 season. Seamus Coleman has also left the club, and it’s expected Nathan Patterson will be sold.
Forest are trying to get Read, but there is certainly an argument for Everton also joining the race for the youngster.
Why Everton should pursue Givairo Read
Everton fans are clamouring for a new right-back who will ideally nail down the position for years to come, like Coleman did.
But a lot of the current links are underwhelming, with the likes of Ben White and Aaron Wan-Bissaka almost 30 now.
Read is only 20, but has shown immense promise during his fledgling career so far.
He signed for Feyenoord in the summer of 2023 after joining from FC Volendam, and has already racked up 54 appearances.
And the most striking thing about his time there so far has been how attack-minded he is. He has scored five goals and laid on 11 assists.
16 goal contributions from a right-back in just 54 games is impressive in isolation, but it’s made extra significant knowing he is only 20.
Last December, Read was the subject of a feature piece from Total Football Analysis, which painted him out to be a real talent.
They crunched his data and concluded that he ‘looks every bit of a modern full-back’.
At one stage, he ranked in the 99th percentile for touches in the opposition box against other right-backs in the Eredivisie, which clearly shows he loves to get forward.
He is said to ‘manipulate the ball with a tightness synonymous with Dutch footballing heritage’ and there is even a comparison to Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber, who is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s top right-backs now.
He is also said to possess ‘excellent’ off-the-ball movement, providing both overlaps and underlaps, and is surprisingly dominant in the air.
Moyes may well have reservations about his age, but the Scot should take note of some interesting comments made by Robin van Persie last November.
Speaking about Read’s maturity, he said via TEAMtalk: “Givairo plays like he’s been in the first team for years. His decision-making and leadership are exceptional for his age.”
Van Persie has also tipped him for a big move, saying in May of this year (via 1908.nl): “As a player, he is making huge steps and he is just a fantastic player,” he said. When asked if Read is ready for a step to the absolute top, the coach was clear. “I definitely think he can make that step.”
It has been suggested that Read is on Manchester City’s radar as well, which perhaps tells its own story.
We are talking about a player with enormous potential here and with Everton crying out for fresh impetus at right-back, Toffees officials have surely got to make some enquiries.
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