Everton make late bid to keep Vitalii Mykolenko due to David Moyes’ decision
Everton are planning to step up talks with Vitalii Mykolenko over the offer of a new contract before the end of the Premier League season.
The 26-year-old’s current contract is set to expire in June, but he remains a key part of David Moyes’ starting XI as well as his plans for the future.
The Toffees have been looking at potential reinforcements at left-back, but feel the Ukraine international has proved he can perform consistently at the top level.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Moyes hopes to keep Mykolenko beyond the end of the current season and is working towards that end.
Contract talks have been ongoing behind the scenes at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but they are now set to accelerate as Everton step up their summer transfer plans.
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VISIT THE EVERTON TRANSFER HUBEverton to accelerate Vitalii Mykolenko contract talks
Brown previously told Football Insider that Everton would assess Mykolenko’s future this season before deciding whether to offer him new terms.
The arrival of Adam Aznou from Bayern Munich last summer added to the doubts about his future, but the 19-year-old has made just one senior appearance so far.
| Vitalii Mykolenko | Stats 2025-26 |
| Appearances | 29 |
| Starts | 28 |
| Minutes Played | 2534 |
Mykolenko, meanwhile, has been a mainstay under Moyes and his consistently impressive displays have contributed heavily to their success so far.
“Much of Everton’s success has come from players like Mykolenko,” Brown told Football Insider.
“They’ve had a really impressive season so far, they’re in a great position, and he’s been a mainstay in the starting XI throughout all of it.
“He doesn’t do anything overly fancy, but he works so hard for 90 minutes and always gives his best, and that’s exactly what you need at a club like Everton.
“David Moyes is a big fan of his, so he’ll want to keep him around, I have no doubt.
“If his contract is running out at the end of the season, they’re going to be making efforts between now and then to extend his deal and give him a new one.
“It’s those types of players who you want to add your quality around, players like Jack Grealish or Iliman Ndiaye, and it’s so important to keep hold of them.”
Everton make plans to keep star players on Merseyside
Mykolenko is not the only player Everton are making efforts to keep ahead of the summer, as speculation continues to surround star names including Iliman Ndiaye.
Brown told Football Insider on 13 March that Everton are confident of keeping Ndiaye despite growing interest from the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham.
The Toffees currently sit in eighth place after 31 games, and a finish in this position would see them qualify for Europe, which would provide a huge boost.
Not only would it allow them to strengthen with better quality players, but it would help keep the likes of Ndiaye on Merseyside despite rival interest.
Everton are not believed to be concerned about the forward’s future and are confident of keeping hold of him alongside their other important stars.
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