Everton backed to seal permanent deal for Conor Coady amid ‘£20m’ claim – pundit
Alan Hutton has backed Everton to try and sign loanee Conor Coady permanently from Wolves next year.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Spurs and Aston Villa defender suggested a £20million deal could be on the cards for the 29-year-old.
Coady moved to Goodison Park on a season-long loan deal in August.
The centre-half captained the Toffees to their first win of the season against West Ham on 18 September.
Frank Lampard has settled on Coady and fellow summer signing James Tarkowski as his preferred defensive partnership.
Coady has three years remaining on his contract with his parent club Wolves.
When asked by Football Insider if a permanent move would looking like a foregone conclusion, Hutton said: “It is an area where Everton had to be better.
“They had to be more solid and Conor Coady is a leader.
“I was surprised Wolves let him go out on loan. I know he was in and out of the side but you miss someone of that experience. He is an England international.
“Everton were crying out for somebody like that. He is a solid defender and more importantly is a very good organiser. He makes the players around him better.
“It improves Everton overall. It was brilliant to get him through the door.
“I think Wolves would want around £20million if they were to sell him permanently. It is very difficult to put a number on it though. He brings a lot to the team so I would say he is well worth £20million.
“I think Everton would pay that no problem. He is 29 but he does not rely on blistering pace. He is an intelligent player so he knows where to be on the pitch. Age is not a problem.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed Everton are attracting ‘huge interest’ after ‘massive’ news from Turkey.