Everton plan to sign a new left-back this summer.
Vitalii Mykolenko sees his contract expire at the end of the season, and it very much sounds as if the Toffees have no plans to keep the Ukraine international at the Hill Dickinson Stadium – at least not as a regular starter.
Everton have been linked with Myles Lewis-Skelly as the England international struggles for playing time at Arsenal, but that could be an expensive deal considering he is contracted until July 2030.
However, a cheaper option has now emerged as TEAMtalk say Everton are plotting a move to sign Matt Targett on a free transfer.
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
Everton want Matt Targett as David Moyes admires his ‘experience and reliability’
Graeme Bailey now writes that Everton are set to compete against Leeds for the 30-year-old this summer when his contract with Newcastle expires.
Targett has spent the current campaign on loan at Middlesbrough after losing his spot to Lewis Hall under Eddie Howe, making 38 appearances – scoring four goals while assisting three more – and helping Boro to sit fifth in the Championship with automatic promotion still possible.
TEAMtalk say Moyes admires the Southampton academy graduate for his ‘experience and reliability’ – both of which he possesses in abundance with 164 Premier League appearances under his belt along with the ability to play on either the left or in the centre of defence.
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Lucas Digne once left Matt Target “surprised” after shock move
Ironically, Targett only sealed his £15m move to Newcastle in June 2022 due to the fact Lucas Digne forced him out of Aston Villa.
The Everton target spoke about his choice to leave Villa Park after Rafa Benitez ousted Digne from Goodison Park, telling talkSPORT at the time: “It was a difficult decision because obviously I was pretty much the only left-back last season and I knew the club wanted to sign a left-back. I was quite surprised when they signed someone like Lucas Digne.
“Obviously he was out there at the time and the club had to do what they had to do, but it was quite hard to take when they signed someone of that calibre, but if that’s where the club wants to go then I completely respect that.
“But at the same time, I’m 26 and I don’t want to be sitting on the bench, I want to look back on my career knowing that I’ve played as many Premier League games as possible. So that was probably one of the main reasons.”
What changes would you make from the Brentford game? 😬
Predicted XI Everton vs Liverpool
Credit: GRV Media
Targett had to drop into the Championship to remind people of his quality, but it has seemingly done the trick as Everton now attempt to fend off Leeds for his signature.
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