Vitalii Mykolenko applauds after a game for Everton, as manager David Moyes is being interviewed in a circular inset.
Credit: Imago
Evan Shaw
Tue 11 November 2025 18:10, UK
Everton may be about to stop their attempts to hand a new contract to Vitalii Mykolenko in their tracks ahead of the January transfer window.
The Ukraine international’s current deal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium is due to expire at the end of the campaign, and he has been a key player for them once again so far this term.
Mykolenko’s future at Everton has been uncertain for several weeks now, but reports in recent days have suggested that the Toffees are preparing a new deal to keep hold of the defender.
David Moyes and Co. have secured the agreements of several new contracts of late, but the latest movement in the market has certainly opened the door for the left-back to be replaced.
David Moyes applauds fans Everton
Credit: Imago
Everton must chase Pervis Estupinan transfer in January
Everton’s desire to extend Mykolenko’s contract has become clear amid recent interest from Bournemouth, who have been keen to exploit his situation this winter.
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The Merseysiders are understood to have been relaxed in their approach towards the potential new deal for the ex-Dynamo Kyiv man, but they could be about to backtrack on their recent decision to try and keep him after events in Italy.
Former Brighton left-back Pervis Estupinan only joined AC Milan in the summer, but he could already be on his way out of the San Siro, according to Milan Live.
Estupinan made 84 Premier League appearances across three seasons at Brighton
He notched 15 goal contributions in the league during that time
By comparison, Mykolenko has just six from 118 league games
The Ecuador international has managed just six league starts so far this season, and it is thought that he has struggled to recover from a pair of key errors in the 2-1 defeat to Napoli at the end of September.
As a result, it is understood that a January exit is possible for the former Seagull, with Atletico Madrid mooted as a potential destination, having previously shown an interest in the summer.
However, it is also noted that Estupinan still has a “market” in England due to his impressive displays in the Premier League previously.
With that in mind, it seems as though a return to England could genuinely be on the cards in January.
Pervis Estupinan is clearly a stronger option than Vitalii Mykolenko
Mykolenko has never let Everton down as such, but the attacking capabilities of his game as desperately lacking when compared to those of a modern-day full-back.
He doesn’t possess the pace or the quality of delivery to be a real threat in the opposition’s half, and that has drawn plenty of frustration from the Toffees faithful of late.
With that in mind, they should be looking to backtrack their call on Mykolenko and try and replace him with Estupinan instead.
The 27-year-old is a far stronger attacking outlet than Mykolenko on the left flank, and would be unlikely to break the bank for Everton, given that he cost Milan just £17million initially.
It is currently unclear as to the exact level of interest in Estupinan from across the Premier League, but it would be silly for Everton not to even try and make a move for him if he is likely to move clubs.
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