Everton are already looking ahead of next season, and it seems the club are looking to sort out player contracts earlier this time around.
Last season, the Toffees had a lot of player contracts to sort out, and most of them were not addressed until the season had finished.
Who should Everton be keeping and letting go this summer? 🫣
But this time around it seems Everton are looking to be productive and proactive.
We’ve already seen Michael Keane sign a new deal with Everton, which came as a reward for a number of great performances this season.
And it looks like another could now be imminent at Finch Farm.
Vitalii Mykolenko is ‘close’ to contract extension at Everton
The I Paper has reported that Everton are now ‘close’ to triggering the extension option in Vitalii Mykolenko’s contract.
As things currently stand, the Ukraine international is to leave at the end of the season.
But David Moyes seems unwilling to let that happen, and it looks like he’ll be sticking around for at least one more season. The latest claim comes after it was suggested Everton were ‘feverishly’ trying to tie Mykolenko down.
Mykolenko has again drawn criticism this season for his performances, and plenty are keen to see the club upgrade on him.
But he is a trusted player for the manager, so him sticking around was always likely.
Everton must still land a new left-back despite Mykolenko claim, it’s vital
Mykolenko seemingly won’t be going anywhere this summer. But this does not mean that Everton shouldn’t sign a new left-back this summer.
Hopefully this will be the case, because reports this week have suggested a new left-back is indeed one of the club’s priorities.
Ideally, whoever comes in will be an upgrade on Mykolenko and not an understudy.
The player Everton bring in needs to have a bit more about them in an attacking sense, with Mykolenko rarely delivering for Everton in the final third.
Indeed, he’s only scored four goals and made four assists in 154 matches, which is a bit underwhelming for a full-back in this day and age.
Would you like to see Everton sign Nathan Ake this summer? 🔥
Moyes would love his versatility in defence! 👏
Nathan Ake has been linked with Everton and could play at left-back. But the Dutchman is better defensively than he is offensively.
That said, the Dutchman could still be a great addition.
If Everton signed him, then a more attack-minded right-back should be targeted, so then at least one full-back would be contributing in the final third.
This would not be ideal for Adam Aznou, but it feels like the youngster will need a loan move after this season.
Then, he could return for the following season to challenge Everton’s new left-back signing, with Mykolenko to perhaps move on.
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