Everton are in the market for a new full-back in the January transfer window and the perfect opportunity may have just arisen.
It has been a mixed bag in the opening 11 games of the Premier League season for Everton, who entered the international break in 13th spot.
Everton News understands that, as well as a striker, Everton are looking to add a full-back over January to bolster their current options.
It is a position that was not properly upgraded over the summer with just Adam Aznou added at left-back.
Aznou has not played for Everton in a competitive game as there are underlying issues over his fitness.
There is now a left-back with Premier League experience set to hit the market who could be the perfect answer for Moyes this winter.
FBL-EUR-C1-ARSENAL-TRAINING
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Everton should sign Pervis Estupinan in January
Vitaliy Mykolenko is open to signing a new Everton contract before the end of the season, when his is due to expire.
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However, there could be a player set to become available this January that may provide Everton with a big upgrade.
According to Milan Live, Pervis Estupinan is available to leave AC Milan in January despite only being sold by Brighton & Hove Albion over the summer.
It is suggested that the Ecuador international could be headed back to the Premier League, with suitors expected following his stint on the south coast.
Atletico Madrid have been named as another potential landing spot, but this is a player who could add some real value to Everton.
Moyes has admitted he wants more production from his full-backs, who have not provided a single goal contribution this season.
They may come up against some fierce competition but Everton are keen to improve their squad where possible over the coming months.
Estupinan would be a smarter addition than Myles Lewis-Skelly
Everton lack any attacking threat coming from their full-backs, which heaps the pressure on the likes of Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye.
It has also been suggested that Everton have an interest in Myles Lewis-Skelly, who does not have anywhere near the experience of the AC Milan defender.
2024/25 Premier League (per 90 minutes) Pervis Estupinan Vitaliy Mykolenko Myles Lewis-Skelly
Shots 1.09 0.41 0.2
Shot-creating actions 2.17 1.26 1.91
Progressive yards 100.7 44 109.4
Take-ons 1.27 0.58 1.84
Stats via FBRef.
Bringing in a player of Estupinan’s quality and experience could prove a massive coup for the Blues in January given his shot-creating actions and actual shots per 90 minutes.
Even legendary left-back Cafu has praised what he has seen from Estupinan:
“His speed, his ability to push forward, and the fact that he’s not afraid to take personal initiative when the team needs it,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
Mykolenko did show some improvements against Fulham at the weekend, with his crossing stats considerably better.
However, the Ukraine international has never really shown any attacking impetus, which is something that Estupinan would certainly deliver.