Angus Kinnear dropped one of the more intriguing lines of Everton’s summer this week, confirming the club would go into the Crystal Palace opener without a right-back rather than settle for anything less than “the number one right-back we wanted.”
He didn’t name him. He didn’t rule anyone out either.
Here’s who’s still in the frame.
Héctor Fort was the name most strongly linked to Everton just days ago, with Barcelona open to letting the 20-year-old leave after his loan at Elche. His stock has since wobbled — reports over the weekend pointed to obstacles in the move, and one outlet has since claimed he isn’t actually Everton’s top choice at all.
Guela Doué is the name that claim points toward instead. The Strasbourg full-back was reportedly rated highly by Everton earlier in the window, with only his price tag standing in the way. If Kinnear’s “number one” is out there unnamed, this is where some believe the search leads.
Daniel Muñoz offers the most straightforward fee, with Palace open to a £20-25m deal. The complication here isn’t money — it’s reportedly whether David Moyes sees him as a tactical fit.
Alistair Johnston remains available at Celtic, but the deal has stalled over valuation, and an injury hasn’t helped his case.
Nahuel Molina sits further back, the more experienced option Everton haven’t yet pushed hard for.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, previously in this conversation, is out of it entirely — Aston Villa have beaten Everton to him.
Kinnear’s message was clear enough: Everton would rather wait than compromise. Whether that patience is aimed at Fort, Doué, or someone not yet linked at all remains the one thing nobody at the Hill Dickinson is saying out loud.
For the full picture on Everton’s right-back search and every other deal this summer, follow our live transfer tracker.
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