Exclusive: Everton explore deal to sign ‘next Seamus Coleman’
Everton are setting their sights on signing a new right-back ahead of the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
Manager David Moyes and the recruitment team at the Hill Dickinson Stadium are exploring the market to find a new long-term option in the position.
Jake O’Brien, 24, is the current first-choice right-back and has done a solid job so far this season after taking over the role from club legend Seamus Coleman.
However, Everton want a player with qualities similar to Coleman, who can offer more going forward than O’Brien, who is a centre-back by trade.
It is now seen as a priority for the Toffees in 2026, either in January or in the summer transfer window, with long-term plans in place.
David Moyes sets sights on new right-back after deals collapsed
Former West Ham scout and close Moyes ally Mick Brown first told Football Insider in May that right-back is a priority position for Everton in their transfer plans.
The Toffees were linked with a number of right-backs during the summer, with the likes of Kenny Tete, Wesley Franca and Kyle Walker-Peters on their radar.
However, they lost out on all three, as Tete opted to remain at Fulham, Franca joined The Friedkin Group’s other club Roma, and Walker-Peters moved to West Ham.
As a result, they have continued working to identify more options at right-back, with Moyes looking to increase the threat posed by his full-backs.
The position remains a concern despite the performances of O’Brien, with plans now being accelerated.
Everton make new Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall plan
While Moyes is planning to strengthen his squad in the mid-season window, there are also concerns about potential outgoings, with key players attracting interest.
Brown told Football Insider on 18 December that Everton will block Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s exit despite growing interest from top Premier League clubs.
Just six months after arriving from Chelsea during the summer window, the midfielder is already attracting interest from more of the league’s biggest clubs.
Everton signed Dewsbury-Hall for £28million in the summer, beating off interest from the likes of West Ham and Fulham who were on alert over his availability.
He has since established himself as a key player under David Moyes, and the Toffees are in a strong position as his contract is set to run until 2030.
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