Marco Silva has told the Liverpool Echo that he would like a new right-back at Everton this summer, having allowed Jonjoe Kenny to join FC Schalke 04 on loan.
The 22-year-old’s temporary deal with the Bundesliga side has left the boss facing the prospect of only having Seamus Coleman as a recognised senior full-back next season, while Mason Holgate can provide cover if required.
Silva is reluctant to the idea of tackling the Premier League with only the experienced Republic of Ireland captain as his recognised option, and has confirmed that the club are actively searching for a new addition that can provide depth at the back.
“In this moment, and since Jonjoe went on loan to Schalke, it has been a position we want strengthen,” the Portuguese said.
“You cannot go through a tough competition like the Premier League with just Seamus Coleman.
“We are really, really happy with Seamus, he finished last season on a very good level but, of course, we have to sign a right-back also.”
Silva’s comments may now see Director of Football Marcel Brands finally land a long-time target of the club, as Thomas Meunier’s future at Paris Saint-Germain is still up in the air.
The Belgian defender has entered the final year of his contract at Les Parc des Princes, and talks are underway with PSG Director of Football Leonardo to see where his chances of a new deal lie.
Meunier would prefer to remain in Paris next season, but may find his time with the club is over if negotiations with Leonardo hit a dead-end, much to our benefit.
Brands had reportedly discussed a deal for Meunier in January as part of a potential swap for Idrissa Gana Gueye, although we retained the Senegal midfielder’s services before the window slammed shut.
Speculation continued over the subsequent few months, with Everton often linked with Meunier as part of Paris Saint-Germain’s efforts to raise funds in order to appease Financial Fair Play concerns.
Atletico Madrid have likewise been linked with the 27-year-old, previously believed to be on offer for a fee in the region of €25m (£22.5m) and €30million (£27.1m). However, the La Liga side’s interest may have reached its natural end after Tottenham Hotspur’s Kieran Trippier moved to the Spanish capital for a reported £20million.
Trippier’s rumoured move to the Wander Metropolitano could also open the door for another reported Everton target to move to Goodison Park, if Meunier secures the new contract with PSG he is craving.
The Toffees were linked with Atleti right-back Santiago Arias in June, with it noted that Brands is a long-time admirer of the Colombian and attempted to lure the 27-year-old to Merseyside last summer, only for the defender to join Diego Simeone in Madrid.
Arias’ suggested move would be more expensive than Meunier’s, though, as the reports of Brands’ renewed interest in the player he signed for PSV Eindhoven in 2013 suggested we would need to offer close to €40million (£36.1m).
Everton scouts were also in regular attendance of Wigan Athletic’s fixtures last season to keep tabs on Chelsea youngster Reece James, although our interest would face rival bids from Crystal Palace after they lost Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United.
James is also recovering from surgery, having been forced to go under the knife earlier in the month to help his recovery from an ankle injury sustained at this summer’s Toulon tournament with England’s U20s.