Everton may finally have right-back solution as ‘imminent’ offer sure to be accepted by Euro giants
Everton could finally be about to get the new right-back addition that they have desperately needed.
The defensive balance within the Toffees’ squad has been seriously thrown off by Jarrad Branthwaite’s sustained injury absence, and David Moyes has been forced to use makeshift solutions throughout the season so far.
Jake O’Brien has struggled for Everton at times on the right side of the defence, while James Garner has also been called upon to move out of position and fill the role on a few occasions.
O’Brien has provided the most regular solution for the Merseysiders so far this term, but as a natural centre-half, he is very much a temporary fix, and that has seen a new addition become a priority in the January window.
Everton ready to submit £10.4m Juanlu Sanchez offer
Football Insider recently revealed that Everton are interested in Zakaria El Ouahdi before the end of the month, but the Genk right-back is far from the only target that they are considering.
The Toffees were extensively linked with Sevilla star Juanlu Sanchez in the summer, and they now appear set to reignite that interest in the coming weeks.
Everton are now ready to make an offer for the 22-year-old “imminently,” according to Spanish outlet Vamos Mi Sevilla.
The Premier League outfit are ready to offer an initial fee of £10.4million, as well as a series of “easily achievable” bonuses to boost the value of the deal for the selling club.
Sevilla are currently undergoing financial difficulties, and it is understood that they need to raise at least £8.6m (€10m) from player sales in order to allow them to “operate freely” when it comes to buying players in the remainder of the window.
Napoli are also keen to sign Sanchez, but crucially, they would rather take him on a loan with an obligation to buy, meaning that Sevilla wouldn’t receive their cash until the summer.
Given the Spanish giants’ immediate need to raise funds and the fact that Everton’s proposed offer is well beyond the figure that they need, they will surely not hesitate to accept the bid when it arrives.
David Moyes already has long-term right-back solution at the club
Everton fans were delighted with Nathan Patterson’s display in their win over Aston Villa at the weekend, and that could have forced him further into Moyes’ plans moving forward.
The Scot had fallen drastically down the pecking order on Merseyside, but he impressed in what was just his second Premier League start of the season on Sunday.
Patterson played a key role in an invaluable clean sheet for Everton, and it could prove to be enough to convince Moyes that he is worthy of a more regular starting spot moving forward.
If the 24-year-old can continue to stake a claim as somebody who is deserving of more minutes over the coming weeks, then it may ultimately negate the need for Everton to move into the market for a right-back altogether.