Everton are still tracking Lyon defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles as part of a broader summer recruitment strategy to secure a long-term option at right-back, according to a joint report from TEAMtalk and Graeme Bailey.
The former Arsenal academy graduate is understood to be prominent on a growing shortlist of targets compiled by Everton’s recruitment staff.
However, the club face direct competition from the Premier League, with both Newcastle United and Crystal Palace also monitoring the 28-year-old’s situation in France ahead of the summer window.
Tactical flexibility appeals to Everton recruitment team
Stabilising the right side of defence has emerged as a key priority for Everton this summer. With The Friedkin Group (TFG) now establishing structural stability at the Hill Dickinson, the interest in Maitland-Niles reflects a clear desire for proven top-flight experience paired with tactical versatility.
Since moving to Ligue 1, the utility player has revitalised his career with Lyon, proving equally comfortable at right-back, wing-back, or operating across a fluid central midfield.
That positional flexibility is particularly valuable to manager David Moyes, who needs to maximise squad depth while, for obvious reasons, working within the club’s broader Profit and Sustainability (PSR) framework.
While Newcastle and Crystal Palace present stiff competition for his signature, Maitland-Niles is just one profile in a multi-layered defensive search.
Everton are expected to land at least one signing at right-back before the market closes, with updates on other targets tracked on our Everton Transfer News pages.
