Exclusive: Everton to sign defender as ‘money made available to Moyes’
David Moyes is hoping Everton’s new stadium move can help them win the race for David Hancko this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Toffees are preparing for a transformational transfer window to coincide with their departure from Goodison Park, as a new era dawns for the club at their 52,888-capacity Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.
Everton, under the ownership of the Friedkin Group and leadership of incoming CEO Angus Kinnear, will make money available for Moyes to spend this summer, allowing the Scot to pursue his top targets.
Feyenoord’s Slovakian centre-back Hancko is seen as an “ambitious” target on Merseyside, with sources telling Football Insider that Everton face competition from at least half a dozen clubs for his signature.
David Hancko transfer to underline new ambition at Everton
Liverpool fans have already urged Everton’s arch-rivals to sign Hancko this summer, and Football Insider have been told that Chelsea, Tottenham, Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen are also keen.
Everton are highly likely to strengthen in central defence regardless, with Football Insider revealing on 7 April that Burnley’s Maxime Esteve is a player Moyes sees as a long-term partner to Jarrad Branthwaite.
However, sources have told Football Insider that Everton’s new owners have lofty ambitions and want a player of Hancko’s quality to reflect this, with Moyes set to be given a similarly ambitious transfer kitty.
Moyes makes Everton transfer priorities clear
Moyes sounding out the likes of Esteve and Hancko – the 27-year-old being a stalwart of Feyenoord’s title-winning side under Arne Slot – suggests that above all, Everton want a centre-back this summer.
Hancko is left-sided and comfortable as a full-back, and despite ex-scout Mick Brown telling Football Insider that his former employers Man United are unlikely to sign Branthwaite, Everton fans will worry.
Unless Hancko is shunted out to left-back – unlikely given the transfer fee he could command – the Slovakian would want to play in central defence; and would likely be more at home on the left side.
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider that Everton’s priority must be to tie Branthwaite down to a new contract, but if he is to leave, Hancko would be a perfect replacement in Moyes’ side.