Everton’s need for reinforcements at right-back has become a top priority for David Moyes as the start of the new Premier League season looms.
Following the departure of Ashley Young, the position remains one of uncertainty.
Nathan Patterson has featured consistently in pre-season but has yet to convince as a long-term solution.
Meanwhile, 36-year-old Seamus Coleman, though an influential presence in the dressing room, is no longer expected to start regularly.
The club had pushed hard to sign Kenny Tete from Fulham, but their advances were rebuffed when the Dutchman signed a new contract at Craven Cottage.
With the window moving into its decisive phase, Everton – who are also pushing ahead with their bid to sign Southampton’s Tyler Dibling – are now casting a wide net.
Among the options is a player whose career arc and profile make him a particularly intriguing fit for Everton’s evolving blueprint.
A versatile operator with Premier League experience, European pedigree, and the kind of adaptability that Moyes has historically favoured.
Everton’s search for a right-back
Moves are now being made, amid Moyes’ cry for more additions, with a £35m bid having been lodged for young Dibling, while the Toffees are also closing in on a deal for Chelsea’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. As per Romano, the former Leicester City playmaker is set to sign for a fee of around £25m, plus add-ons.
As for their right-back search, Ainsley Maitland-Niles may not be the headline-grabbing name Everton fans were expecting this summer, but he could prove to be one of the most effective.
The 27-year-old former Arsenal man is currently with Lyon, where he quietly enjoyed a strong 2024/25 season.
He featured 32 times in Ligue 1, scoring once and registering four assists, while also appearing 11 times in the Europa League and contributing a further three assists.
Now, with several Premier League and European clubs interested, TEAMtalk revealed that Everton are among those assessing his potential return to England.
Maitland-Niles’ ability to play at right-back, central midfield and right midfield makes him a valuable asset in any squad.
Mikel Arteta once described him as having “a huge talent” due to such versatility, a quality Everton currently lack in key areas.
From a financial perspective, the deal makes sense. Maitland-Niles’ market value sits at around €12m (£10m), a relatively modest figure in today’s market.
At a time when the Toffees are navigating tricky financial waters, the prospect of bringing in a seasoned, multifunctional player without breaking the bank would be a significant win.
Perhaps most compelling, though, is how Maitland-Niles mirrors the path of one of Everton’s success stories from recent windows: Jake O’Brien.
Why Maitland-Niles could be the next Jake O’Brien
O’Brien’s rise at Everton is a blueprint worth examining.
Signed from Lyon in a £16.4m deal last year, Everton’s most expensive signing of the summer, the Irishman struggled initially.
He failed to start a single game under Sean Dyche, and many feared he was another big-money misstep. But under David Moyes, O’Brien has flourished.
Now a regular in the back line, the 24-year-old has shown composure, athleticism, and maturity well beyond his years.
He even chipped in with two Premier League goals last season.
Speaking on his difficult start, O’Brien said: “It was disappointing. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but I still trained really hard every day and knew once I got my chance, I’d grab it.”
Maitland-Niles could offer a similar redemption arc. Statistically, he already ticks plenty of boxes.
According to FBref, he ranks in the 93rd percentile for tackles per 90 (3.09) and the 80th percentile for blocks per 90 (1.41), figures that would suit a Moyes team that prioritises defensive grit.
His pass completion rate of 86.3% (86th percentile) and progressive passes per 90 (4.52) (74th percentile) indicate composure on the ball and the ability to progress play in tight spaces, vital for a full-back expected to contribute both defensively and in buildup phases.
A pass is considered progressive if the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the opponent’s goal or any completed pass into the penalty area.
He also averages nearly one successful take-on per 90 (0.95), showing that he can beat a man when required.
Like O’Brien, Maitland-Niles comes with a Ligue 1 education and the hunger to prove himself in the Premier League once more.
His time at Arsenal, where he made 132 appearances over nine years, demonstrates not just pedigree, but also resilience. He knows the demands of top-flight English football and has shown he can compete in a range of roles.
Crucially, Maitland-Niles also aligns well with players Everton admire across Europe.
His statistical profile mirrors that of Rayan Aït-Nouri and Ian Maatsen, players known for their versatility, athleticism, and tidy technical skill.
With Maitland-Niles still just 27, Everton would be investing in a player entering his prime years.
Whether used as cover for Patterson, a starter in his own right, or even in midfield, he brings balance, intelligence, and experience to a side that desperately needs those traits.
Given the club’s well-documented recruitment missteps in years gone by, a move for Maitland-Niles would represent a pragmatic, potentially high-upside piece of business, especially if he can replicate the impact of O’Brien on the pitch.
