David Moyes has been linked with the Scotland jobImago

Everton pull plug on defender signing after dramatic U-turn

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Published on:

31 Aug 2026, 6:20 am

Everton's move to sign Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has collapsed after a dramatic U-turn, sources have told Football Insider.

The Merseyside club have been using the Harrison Armstrong discussions to advance a deal for the 29-year-old right-back to head the other way.

However, after a fan backlash during Everton’s draw against Bournemouth on Saturday, the Merseysiders have since dramatically pulled the plug on the deal to sell the young midfielder to Forest after an agreement had been in place.

As a result, Aina is no longer a target for the Toffees, and the club are now looking elsewhere to find a right-back.

David Moyes’ side have been on the hunt for a new right-back throughout the summer after Seamus Coleman retired at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Despite being linked to a host of names this summer, Everton’s hunt for a right-back will now go into the final two days of the window.

Everton running out of time to solve right-back crisis

The need for a new right-back at Everton has been apparent at the club for some time.

Last season, Jake O’Brien was the club’s number one choice to play in this position, despite him naturally being a centre-back.

So far in the current campaign, Merlin Rohl has been favoured by Moyes to play at right-back, which seems far from the ideal solution to this ongoing crisis.

Now, despite the club knowing that they need a right-back for over a season, they now face a mad rush to get one in before the transfer window closes on 1 September.

Everton have been linked with a host of names in recent weeks, including Kenny Tete and Alistair Johnston. However, it remains to be seen if they can strike a deal for one of the defenders over the next two days.

Everton must complete Kenny Tete deal, 75% and 80% stats are telling

What other business could Everton complete this summer?

Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Leeds and Crystal Palace have both registered interest in O’Brien.

Both sides are keen on the versatile defender, who is contracted at the Toffees until 2028.

However, Everton are unwilling to let him go until a replacement right-back is signed this summer.

So far this season, the Republic of Ireland international has not played a single minute and has been an unused substitute in each of the Toffees’ opening three matches.

David Moyes