Everton have been linked with a move for Sunderland defender Trai Hume, but they should look for a much cheaper option instead.
A big summer is ahead of David Moyes and the Toffees, with the Friedkin Group set to back Everton in the transfer window ahead of their move into the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
After finishing 13th in the Premier League, it comes as no surprise that Moyes wants to improve his squad and is already looking at who he can bring in ahead of the new season.
Everton have already signed Carlos Alcaraz and are now being linked to several other players who would improve their starting XI significantly. A lot of older players are also due to leave the club this month, with the likes of Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman headed for the exit.
The need for a new right-back is there, and Everton are being linked with Sunderland’s Trai Hume, who recently helped the Black Cats achieve promotion back to the Premier League.
While there is no doubt Hume would make a great addition to Everton’s squad, Moyes should look to sign another right-back who is set to leave his club for free this summer.
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Everton should sign Kyle Walker-Peters instead of Trai Hume
Despite suffering relegation with Southampton, Kyle Walker-Peters gave a good account of himself during the 2024/25 season.
The right-back has been a big part of Southampton’s starting XI since signing for the Saints in 2020, making 169 league appearances in the Premier League and Championship combined.
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It has been confirmed that Walker-Peters will leave Southampton this summer with his contract expiring, and it is no surprise that there is a queue of clubs looking for his signature.
Everton wanted Walker-Peters during the January transfer window but opted against signing him when Southampton priced him at £9m, with less than six months remaining on his contract.
However, now is the perfect time for Moyes to bring a new right-back to the team, and a quality one at that. At 28, Walker-Peters, who has been hailed as “extraordinary” by the Athletic, still has a lot left to give in his career and will cost significantly less than Hume this summer.
Kyle Walker-Peters’ statistics compared to Everton target Trai Hume
While it was not the best of seasons for him, Walker-Peters has already shown that he deserves to be a Premier League player for his performances in previous campaigns with Southampton.
Moyes would be getting an England international with two caps to his name if he decided to sign him on a free, giving the back line even more experience to go with the likes of James Tarkowski.
2024/25 League Statistics Kyle Walker-Peters Trai Hume
Appearances 33 46
Minutes 2922 4110
Tackles/90 1.3 2.7
Interceptions/90 0.6 1
Assists 2 6
Passes/90 45.2 44.6
From Hume’s perspective, he has shown that he has the capabilities of playing Premier League football, but will need to be tested in the top flight before Moyes can consider making a move for him.
Like Walker-Peters, Hume is capped internationally with Northern Ireland, but Everton would have to fork out a substantial transfer fee for his signature.