Everton are stepping up their pursuit of Celtic's Alistair Johnston as Juanlu Sanchez finalises a move from Sevilla to Bournemouth
Everton are attempting to solve their long-running search for a right-back by stepping up their pursuit of Celtic’s Alistair Johnston.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Bhoys’ opening Scottish Premiership fixture at home to Dundee tonight, manager Martin O’Neill was asked about West Ham United’s bid for Arne Engels and the Blues’ reported interest in the Canada World Cup star.
The 74-year-old told Sky Sports: “West Ham, yeah, I think there’s definitely truth in that. I think there’s been something put in that hasn’t remotely made our valuation for a start. And the same with Alistair Johnston, Everton have been in contact. And I’m not sure whether there’s been a bid in there for that one, but they’ve been in contact saying that they would be.
“In fairness, David Moyes did call me last week and say that there would be contact. But I don’t know how far that has progressed, if it has at all.
“But yeah, that would be disappointing obviously. But I suppose it’s to be expected, you know, players who have done well.
“We turned down a big offer in January from Nottingham Forest, they came in at the very last minute, so we couldn’t do anything. Arne was alright with it, you know.
“But it’s difficult to stop people if their ambition is to play in a big, big league. West Ham have been relegated but obviously enhance their financial situation, those things are difficult.
“Our job is to try and keep them, try and do our best to keep them. If that’s not possible, naturally we’ll have to try and get replacements in. To replace those players would be a difficult task.”
The Daily Record have subsequently reported that O’Neill is resigned to losing the pair in the next few days with Johnston close to sealing a move to Everton in a deal worth up to £15million with the 27-year-old telling Parkhead chiefs he is keen on a switch to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
However, the piece adds that the Blues are offering a package of around £12million up front plus add-ons but the Scottish champions want more. The ECHO understands that there is still significant work to do at this stage and while Everton manager David Moyes – who restored centre-back Jake O’Brien to right-back for the 2-1 win at Hamburg on Saturday – has identified Johnston as a potential solution to the long-standing problem position, it is not accurate that a deal is close as things stand.
Meanwhile, Sevilla right-back Juanlu Sanchez, who has been on Everton’s radar for several transfer windows, is finalising a move to Premier League rivals Bournemouth who the Blues travel to for their first away game of the season on August 29. Reports from Spain last October claimed that Everton were being quoted at least €20million (around £17million) by the Andalusian outfit but the Cherries have plucked the 22-year-old for an initial £9.4million with £1.7million in add ons.
Juanlu has been compared to Sevilla legend Jesus Navas – who had a spell in England at Manchester City – because the pair are both products of the club’s academy and versatile performers down the right-hand side of the pitch and he also inherited his number 16 jersey. He has made 109 appearances for Sevilla, scoring six goals and has been capped by reigning World Cup winners and European Champions, Spain, at Under 16, U17, U18, U19, U21 and U23 levels.
Moyes namechecked the Dorset side’s recruitment when he was speaking about Everton’s prospects for the new season following the announcement of the 2026/27 Premier League fixtures.
The Glaswegian gaffer told talkSPORT: “I don’t know if a club like Everton now we can make big, huge strides but we see how well the likes of Bournemouth and Brentford are doing, so there’s no reason why we all shouldn’t have those ambitions to try and at least match those clubs and how they go about it.”