Everton have identified Fulham’s Timothy Castagne as a serious option to solve their right-back problem, according to The Athletic, with Crystal Palace’s Daniel Muñoz also under consideration.
Castagne, 30, has fallen into a ‘squad’ role at Craven Cottage over the past two seasons but remains a regular for Belgium, helping his country reach the World Cup quarter-finals this summer.
His Fulham contract expires next year, and speculation over his future has grown throughout the window.
The position has been a headache for David Moyes since Seamus Coleman’s departure left Nathan Patterson as the only recognised specialist, and persistent fitness issues have limited his availability. Jake O’Brien, a centre-back by trade, filled in at right-back for much of last season, with James Garner also used there at times.
Everton have made five permanent additions this summer in Hayden Hackney, Brennan Johnson and Christian Norgaard, along with converting Tyrique George and Merlin Röhl’s loans into permanent deals, but a right-back arrival has yet to materialise.
CEO Angus Kinnear said this week that the club remain confident of getting a deal done before the window shuts, though not in time for Saturday’s visit of Crystal Palace.
Castagne’s versatility — comfortable at right-back or right wing-back, with cover on the left if needed — fits the profile Moyes has been chasing all summer. Whether Everton move from admiration to a concrete approach remains to be seen.
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