Everton are reportedly eyeing a deal to sign Manchester City defender Kyle Walker.
It emerged on Monday evening that David Moyes was eyeing Kyle Walker as he looks to replace the impending departure of Ashley Young.
The 35-year-old, who has one year remaining on his contract, has been excluded from City’s Club World Cup squad and is therefore available to leave the Etihad Stadium.
Walker spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan, so it’s been apparent for a while that Guardiola no longer fancies him.
If Everton do land the England international, here are the pros and cons of the transfer.
Everton's James Tarkowski during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield .
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images
Winners from potential Kyle Walker transfer to Everton
James Tarkowski
Walker, despite his age, is still one of the quickest players in the Premier League, and his arrival would certainly help James Tarkowski.
Tarkowski isn’t the slowest, but having that recovery speed beside him would allow him to be more aggressive in the tackle and step up a little further.
That may give the former Burnley man greater comfort and confidence in his role.
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John Stones
Well, it’s being reported that Everton want to sign John Stones, so if Walker made the switch to Merseyside, it’d certainly entice him to return.
It’s well-known that Stones and Walker have a close relationship, having played on the international stage together, too.
If they both signed, there’d already be chemistry down the right-hand side of the defence.
Losers from potential Kyle Walker transfer to Everton
Nathan Patterson
Evidently, Walker’s potential arrival throws Nathan Patterson’s future into major doubt as it suggests he’s surplus to requirements.
Moyes didn’t really trust Patterson last season, with concerns over the defensive side of his game, so this transfer all but confirms that a departure is on the cards.
Patterson has been linked with a return to Rangers, with former Everton chief Kevin Thelwell leading their recruitment.
Everton’s wage structure
According to Capology, Walker earns around £176,000-a-week at the Citizens, so any forthcoming deal would essentially require the Friedkins to break the current wage structure.
Everton’s highest earner, Jordan Pickford, reportedly takes home £125,000-a-week, so is it really sensible to make Walker the main man on Merseyside?
His substantial wages could raise a few eyebrows around Finch Farm and potentially lead to a little bit of unrest.