Everton’s search for a new right-back remains alive, with Alistair Johnston a new target for the Toffees.
With just 30 days to go until the first game against Crystal Palace, time is of the essence for Everton.
Pre-season has already started, and Everton have even played their first game, beating Dundee 4-0 last weekend.
Just focusing on Everton’s right-back search, who should the club bring in this summer and why? 🤔
From Spence, to White, to Norton-Cuffy, there have been links to so many players so far…
But no new right-back has come in yet, with Merlin Rohl operating there against the Scottish outfit.
Rohl did well, but it will be a concern for supporters that Moyes could now persist with the German.
It has been claimed today that Everton are prepared to wait to sign a right-back, and that won’t make some feel any better.
But there is now a new link (from the Daily Record), with Alistair Johnston said to be of interest.
Who is Everton target Alistair Johnston
Alistair Johnston was born in Vancouver, Canada, on 8 October 1998, making him 27 years old.
He stands at 5ft 11in tall, and is a natural right-back.
But Johnston is actually relatively new to the position. During his university days he was a central midfielder, and did not convert to right-back until he was 20.
Johnston played for the Canadian semi-pro outfit Vaughan Azzurri for five years, before heading to the MLS to play for Nashville SC.
It was then back to Canada for Johnston, although he remained in the MLS, playing for CF Montreal.
It was there that Johnston really impressed, and in 2023 Celtic came calling with a bid of about £3.5 million.
To date, Johnston has made 122 appearances for the Scottish giants, scoring seven goals and making 24 assists. He’s won four league titles there, as well as five cups.
Just months after joining, Johnston won a domestic treble with Celtic.
Johnston – who also has 61 caps for the Canada national team – has been described as ‘all-action’, and his former manager John Herdman was a big fan, saying previously (via Daily Record): “Do I think he can play at that (Premier League) level? He’s definitely got the mentality to do it. Ali has got a high ceiling and he rises to the top in every environment you put him in.”
He also has good versatility, and can operate on the right of a back three.
Everton won’t have it easy to sign Johnston
While Johnston would be cheaper than a lot of the other right-backs linked with Everton this summer, it still won’t be an easy task signing him.
That’s because Celtic are determined to fend off interest for him, and Johnston is also said to be quite settled in Scotland.
It’s also worth pointing out that he actually signed a new deal last year, and he is committed to the club until the summer of 2029. It would therefore take a substantial bid to prise him away.
There are also other clubs looking at him, such as Fulham.
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