Marco Silva recently stated his intention to sign a new right-back as backup for Seamus Coleman, as Jonjoe Kenny has been loaned out to Schalke, Mason Holgate will be used as a centre-back and Cuco Martina is surplus to requirements.
Everton were linked with Cedric Soares in January without a deal ever materialising. But given he spent 2018/19 on the periphery at Southampton, the Toffees may be successful if they return for the £65k-per-week defender this summer.
Soares joined the Saints from Sporting CP in 2015 and has gone on to make 119 appearances in all competitions, scoring (2) and creating (10) 12 goals. The 27-year-old found himself on the periphery last season, however, and was loaned out to Inter Milan as a result.
Soares struggled for playing time at the San Siro, making only three starts in Serie A and spending the majority of his stint on the bench. Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl is reportedly giving him a clean slate ahead of the new season, but Everton should test their commitment.
Yan Valery became a regular at St Mary’s and is expected to be first-choice at right-back in 2019/20. Southampton might entertain bids for Soares as a result, but there’s no suggestion that an offer is coming yet. The Portuguese international’s current market value is £10.8m, but his contract having one year to run might lower his asking price.