With priority targets like Guela Doue and Djed Spence commanding premium fees, the Toffees must decide between investing in elite talent or pursuing value options like Brooke Norton-Cuffy.
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Everton now have a big decision to make when it comes to signing a new right-back in the summer transfer window.
It's no secret that the Toffees are prioritising a move to sign a new right-back over the coming months, with a host of names being linked with the move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Two of Everton's main right-back targets have either been at the World Cup or are currently at the tournament - Djed Spence and Guela Doue.
Everton simply need to bring in at least one right-back in the summer transfer window, and there’s an argument to suggest that two are needed.
Everton have big right-back decision to make
Fresh reports have emerged that Everton have re-entered the race to sign Genoa right-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy this summer. The Toffees were believed to be keen in the January transfer window earlier this year, but a move failed to materialise.
Ben Jacobs has reported that Genoa value Norton-Cuffy in the region of €20m (£17m) this summer.
In comparison to some of the right-backs we’ve been linked with in the summer window now, Norton-Cuffy would be the better value option, but that doesn’t mean he’d be the right one.
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The right-back position is incredibly important, not only in modern football generally, but for Everton going forward. It’s a position that has needed addressing for many years now, but we appear reluctant to put our hands in our pockets.
Sign the top target, or find value?
As mentioned, someone like Norton-Cuffy would be a good value signing at £17m, in my opinion. Do I think he’s better than Spence or Doue? No.
If Everton want to progress, they need to invest properly in a new right-back. If Spence or Doue are your top targets, then you try do everything you can to make that happen when it comes to negotiations.
On the flip side, we shouldn’t be overpaying for players, but is someone like Doue at £40m really that outrageous given some of the deals flying around at the moment?
Doue and Spence appear to be two of the top right-backs who are on the market at the moment. Marco Palestra was another, and he made the move to Chelsea in a deal nearing £50m.
I don’t mind Norton-Cuffy as a player and do think he’s a better value signing than Doue and Spence, but I also believe the latter two are the better players. I don’t think £40m would be amazing value for either player, but they do feel like more guaranteed fixes.
If Everton can negotiate the prices down slightly, then you should be looking to get your top targets through the door. Something in the region of £25m for Spence, plus add-ons, wouldn’t be outrageous. Something like £30-£35m for Doue, plus add-ons, would be acceptable.
Everton have a big decision to make, and they risk waiting too long and missing out on key targets. Maybe being patient is the right move, but it can be a huge risk.
Reluctance to pay, but happy to splash on Dibling
I’m happy Everton signed Tyler Dibling last summer. It’s not worked out so far, but it was a long-term investment for a player who is incredibly highly-rated and has high upside potential.
It does raise question marks, though. Everton were happy to splash £40m on Dibling, but then didn’t give him an opportunity to develop. Dibling was never going to come in and be a guaranteed starter due to Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish, but a new right-back would instantly come in and take the position.
That raises question marks as to why they’d be willing to splash £40m on a backup winger, but not a figure near that on a right-back who could solve a problem we’ve had for many years, and resolve it for the long-term future.
I don’t want Everton to overpay for a right-back, but I’d like to see them prove it’s a priority.