**Everton have revived their interest in Lyon right-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles.**
Maitland-Niles was [previously on the club’s radar in the summer 2021 transfer window](https://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/everton-fc/43733-everton-eyeing-want-away-arsenal-defender-ainsley-maitland-niles-moise-kean/) during his time with Arsenal but a move ultimately failed to materialise.
An approach for the former England international on an initial season-long loan was turned down by their Premier League counterparts, much to the player’s frustration.
However Maitland-Niles is finally set to seal a move to Merseyside after David Moyes’ side agreed a package worth £4.2 million with the Ligue 1 outfit.
The Blues had set their sights on Fulham’s Kenny Tete alongside the 29-year-old but are now pivoting to signing the latter before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Maitland-Niles, who can also operate as a holding midfielder, was due to become a free agent next summer after three years at Lyon in which he made 85 outings.
He is already known to Everton owners The Friedkin Group, who took him on loan for Roma during their Conference League-winning campaign in 2021/22.
Maitland-Niles’ arrival at Hill Dickinson Stadium will be offset by [Nathan Patterson’s move to Torino](https://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/everton-fc/67819-everton-to-offload-duo-before-transfer-deadline/) in a deal worth £860,000 which contains a 30% sell-on clause.