Everton must offer on loan defender Conor Coady a permanent contract ahead of next season, as the 30-year-old could prove to be an excellent squad player for Sean Dyche.
The Blues are yet to make a decision on Coady’s long-term future, as per reports in the Liverpool Echo, but the club can still trigger an option to buy the centre-back from Wolverhampton Wanderers, his parent club before joining Everton on loan in 2022.
Coady was an ever-present in Frank Lampard’s defence prior to his February sacking, but has since lost his place in Everton’s starting XI to Michael Keane, who had previously worked with Sean Dyche during their time at Burnley.
However, with a potential defensive shake-up this summer, Coady’s availability for just £4.5m, as reported in The Telegraph should be a no brainer, especially as the club will need to prioritise investment in other areas, such as attack.
Everton exodus this summer could see Coady return to Sean Dyche’s XI
Yerry Mina will likely leave Goodison Park in the summer with his current contract set to expire and Mason Holgate has been heavily linked with a move elsewhere. Jarrad Branthwaite, who is currently on loan at Dutch outfit PSV, should return to the senior squad, but he too has been linked with a summer exit.
Michael Keane may have only recently returned to the starting XI of late, but his future also remains uncertain, leaving Sean Dyche with just James Tarkowski and the inconsistent Ben Godfrey as his defensive options.
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Even if both Keane and Branthwaite remain at Goodison Park, the acquisition of an experienced Premier League international with leadership qualities such as Coady would be excellent business considering the price, and would provide Dyche with options at the back.
Competition for places in any squad is always a positive, and a permanent deal for such an experienced and reliable defender would be a smart move for an Everton side undergoing transition.