Keith Wyness drops update on Everton defender signing as 'club work on deal'
Everton are continuing to leave their options open in terms of their pursuit of a new right-back in the final stages of the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Toffees chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that Celtic’s Alistair Johnston is not his former club’s only target for that position.
The Merseysiders have been hugely keen on the Canada international in recent days, but recent reports have made it clear that they are unwilling to meet the Bhoys’ asking price for the 27-year-old.
David Moyes and Co. are considering other options as a result, and Wyness believes that they still have several names that are viewed as serious possibilities for the right-back slot.
Merlin Rohl has operated on the right of the backline during pre-season, but the Scottish businessman is adamant that a natural fit will be added to the squad.
Everton look set to taste disappointment as far as Johnston is concerned, but it is far from the end of their efforts to solve their right-back issues.
Everton ‘working’ on behind the scenes deal
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that his former club are chipping away behind the scenes to bring in a new right-back.
The position caused problems for them throughout last season, with centre-back Jake O’Brien forced to fill in on the right for almost the entire campaign.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness outlined that Everton haven’t given up hope and are still “working” on the position.
“We've got to get that right back in and we'll see what happens,” he said.
“I know that the club is working on it. I know there are two or three other names that they're looking at as well. But let's just see.
“I think we've got to try and play the players in their best positions if possible.”
Everton contemplate Tyler Dibling sale
Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Everton may consider selling winger Tyler Dibling this summer, amid interest from RB Leipzig.
The Bundesliga side are long-term admirers of the 20-year-old starlet, and are weighing up a move for him ahead of the 1 September transfer deadline.
It is understood that Everton may consider a sale if they get the chance to recoup the initial £35million that they spent to land Dibling from Southampton.
However, any chance of a deal is also likely to depend on whether Moyes and Co. can get another winger through the door, as they do not want to leave themselves short in that area.