Everton are keen to bring John Stones back.
The Manchester City No.5 sees his contract expire at the end of the season, and Dean Jones believes there is a “chance” of the England international moving to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
He said: “John Stones will have offers to play elsewhere in the Premier League. He may even have the chance to go back to Everton.”
Regardless of whether John Stones does return to Everton or not, the mere fact David Moyes is considering a reunion suggests the Glaswegian has no plans to keep Reece Welch around.
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Everton's Braiden Graham inspecting the pitch before the match during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Everton. Everton midfielder Malik Olayiwola. Justin Clarke of Everton looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Accrington Stanley and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Kearns – CameraSport/Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto/Matt McNulty.
Everton appear ready to offload Reece Welch
The 22-year-old sees his own contract expire at the end of the campaign, but there could be an opening for him at Everton in the event of a contract extension with Michael Keane expected to leave on a free transfer this summer.
However, the fact a deal for Stones is already being targeted – with Marco Senesi another option for Everton – would suggest Moyes nor The Friedkin Group consider Welch ready to step up.
The England U20 international has made just one appearance this season, playing four minutes of the FA Cup defeat. He has also been named on the bench in eight Premier League games this term, but never brought on.
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Having been at Everton since 2010 – joining at the age of seven – the Toffees have had plenty of time to look at Welch and think about whether he is ready for Premier League football.
The fact he is still yet to make his Premier League debut as he turns 23 later this year – as well as the interest in players like Stones and Senesi – suggests to us that Everton are highly unlikely to extend his contract when it ends this summer.
A new right-back would only block Reece Welch even more
Even if Stones or Senesi do not join Everton, the signing of a proper right-back would most likely see Jake O’Brien move away from that area and return to his natural position in the centre of defence.
Jarrad Branthwaite also seems to have overcome his niggling hamstring issues to be available for Moyes on a regular basis.
It means Welch is set to see his pathway become blocked even without a new signing coming in, but the mere fact Moyes wants more options amid the interest in Stones and Senesi will surely worry the young defender.
Does David Moyes need to put more trust in Everton’s academy players? 😤
Surely some of these players can do better than Beto and Dwight McNeil! 😡
Everton striker Braiden Graham. Everton manager David Moyes.
Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Kearns – CameraSport/Visionhaus.
So, unless the man born in Huddersfield embarks on a special run of form with the U21 side in the second half of the season, he may find himself looking for a new club this summer for the first time since 2010.
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