It remains to be seen whether Everton offer Vitalii Mykolenko a new deal.
The Ukraine international is currently set to become a free agent at the end of the season, and there was a hint of a potential departure as The Friedkin Group earmarked the Everton No.16 as a possible signing for Roma.
Gazzetta dello Sport have now issued an update on the hunt for a new left-back at Roma, and Leeds could well have a say in the future of Vitalii Mykolenko now.
Who should Everton be keeping and letting go this summer? 🫣
Jack Grealish in action for Everton
Credit: Getty Images/Visionhaus
Roma in battle with Leeds to sign Souffian El Karouani
According to the print edition of Gazzetta dello Sport – (via Forza Roma) – Leeds and Roma are battling to sign Souffian El Karouani.
The Morocco international is seen as an alternative to Mykolenko for The Friedkin Group as they attempt to find a new left-back for Gian Piero Gasperini in Rome.
However, if Roma beat Leeds to the signing of El Karouani, it could result in Mykolenko staying at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, as The Friedkin Group would have their new left-back sorted for Gasperini.
David Moyes seems relatively content with the Ukrainian, as a story from iNews states that Everton mainly want a new striker, right-back and centre-back. A new left-back is not a priority.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Mykolenko also shone in the 3-0 win over Chelsea last time out, which may have strengthened his case for a contract extension.
Question marks were initially raised over whether Moyes wants to keep Mykolenko after the Glaswegian began to field Jarrad Branthwaite over the Ukraine international in recent weeks, while the 62-year-old cast further doubt over the Everton No.16 when admitting he had not even started to think about who deserves a new deal.
The Everton boss said: “I’ve actually not put myself on to thinking about the people who are within the building. I’m actually beginning to start thinking about what we’re going to get from outside the building at the moment, what we might need to do.
“The truth is I’ve not got my head on it yet.”
However, Branthwaite has suffered a fitness setback – perhaps due to the added physical demands of playing out wide – so we doubt that experiment will continue.
Vitaliy Mykolenko’s contract expires in the summer, what should Everton do with him? 🤔
Offer him a new deal? Let him go for free? Sell him in January?
Vitalii Mykolenko of Everton arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Everton
Credit: Getty Images/Molly Darlington
So, if Leeds lose out to Roma in the battle for El Karouani, we feel it would only increase the chances of Everton offering Mykolenko a contract extension.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox