View: Everton should return focus to Aarons as right-back search continues
Everton should turn their focus to firming up interest in Norwich defender Max Aarons this summer as they continue their pursuit of a long-term right-back.
Carlo Ancelotti has fielded both Seamus Coleman and Mason Holgate at right-back this season, with neither player able to build any momentum on the right side of defence.
Coleman has been plagued by a variety of injury issues that have restricted him to just ten starts in the Premier League, while Holgate frequently impresses more in the centre of defence than he does from the flanks.
The Liverpool Echo report that the Blues could reignite interest in Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot this summer, with the Portugal youth international having been a target for the club under Marco Silva.
The 22-year old defender has spent the season on loan in Italy with AC Milan, however he is expected to return to United when his loan agreement comes to an end.
The Liverpool Echo claim that with Aaron Wan-Bissaka established at Old Trafford, Dalot is likely to be shifted this summer, and Everton could look to him as Coleman’s long-term successor.
We believe Everton will be better off pursuing Aarons instead.
Everton are believed to have been keeping 21-year old Aarons under consideration for some time now [Liverpool Echo], with Norwich now resigned to losing their talented full-back.
The England youth international has frequently been the subject of praise since breaking into Norwich’s first-team in 2018, where he has since proven to be a vital player for the Canaries.
Recently described by Norwich manager Daniel Farke as “outstanding“, Aarons has quickly established himself as a vital player at Carrow Road, while recent interest from Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Barcelona should serve as some indicator of the talent that he possesses.
The Liverpool Echo do claim that Ancelotti would prefer a full-back who can pose an aerial threat, and that would give Dalot the edge over Aarons, although the former hasn’t always been convincing this season having struggled for game time in Milan, whereas Aarons has proven to be a reliable fixture in Norwich’s defence.
Either player would provide Everton with added impetus on the right flank, and both players are young and talented enough to boost the club’s long-term prospects.
However, if Everton find themselves in the position to pick and choose, they should consider Aarons to be the more exciting and experienced option who can immediately compete.
In other Everton news, Rio Ferdinand has showered praise on Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin.