Everton may have been offered some hope in their search to improve at full-back in the January window.
A number of positions could ideally do with being addressed this month as David Moyes seeks further improvements.
Moyes was impressed with Everton’s nine summer signings in what was his first full transfer window at the club.
Everton should be going into the winter market with a stronger pitch to their respective targets as they push on in the second half of the table.
It is understood that Everton are keen to add at full-back, with a priority being placed on the right side of the defence.
However, there is one left-back who has been told by national manager that he needs to be playing more regular football.
Nathan Ake told to play more regularly amid Everton interest
Everton have been keen on Nathan Ake for a number of months now having initially showed their interest over the summer.
Having remained at the Etihad Stadium, the Dutchman has found it extremely difficult to pick up regular minutes in the starting XI.
Ake has now shared what his national manager, Ronald Koeman, recently told him about his lack of minutes.
Who are you taking at left-back, Nathan Ake or Vitaliy Mykolenko? 🤔
Moyes could surely revive his career like Jack Grealish's…
“Ronald Koeman said to me a few times that he wants me to play more and it is difficult to call me up if I don’t play a lot, obvious,” Ake told the Manchester Evening News as Fabrizio Romano shared the news.
“Every player wants to play as much as possible. The only thing I can say is I keep fighting every time…”
Bizarrely, Everton have also been linked with Kalvin Phillips from City, but the Blues have already reached their loan limit with the Premier League side.
Therefore, any January moves for Pep Guardiola’s players would require Everton to purchase them permanently, or trigger the buy clause of Jack Grealish.
Everton must prioritise a new right-back in January
Vitaliy Mykolenko is currently holding contract talks with Everton as his current deal is set to expire in the summer.
Although that leaves the Ukraine international capable of signing a pre-contract agreement with a foreign side this month, Everton should feel comfortable at left-back.
Vitaliy Mykolenko’s contract expires in the summer, what should Everton do with him? 🤔
Offer him a new deal? Let him go for free? Sell him in January?
Mykolenko may not set the Premier League alight with goals and assists, but he has proven to be a reliable option at the back.
Moyes’ options at right-back are extremely limited and Everton will be expected to lose Seamus Coleman at the end of his current deal.
A new left-back can surely be kicked down the road until the summer, but a new right-back has to be right at the very top of the club’s priorities.
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