What Sean Dyche said about player Everton want to sign is exactly what David Moyes needs
A slow start to the January transfer window for Everton could soon be ignited into life.
Everton were linked with a loan move for Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri on Tuesday, seeing the 18-year-old as a potential option to fill their creative void.
More importantly, David Moyes is on a mission to capture a new right back imminently, and Everton are pushing to sign Zakaria El Ouahdi from Genk in the Belgian Pro League.
El Ouhadi is keen on a move to the Premier League, despite interest from Bundesliga clubs, and the 24-year-old is joined by a Nottingham Forest player on their transfer wish list.
Sean Dyche’s comments on Everton target Ola Aina
Right-back is an area that needs addressing immediately, with centre-back Jake O’Brien being Moyes’ sole option.
That is why multiple players have emerged on their radar, including Ola Aina, who Everton are keen to sign from Forest this month.
Aina recently returned from a hamstring injury at the start of January, with the 29-year-old starting in their last two games against Aston Villa and West Ham after missing 16 top-flight matches.
EXCL: David Moyes has a January right-back wish list, with Ola Aina his preferred target.👀
— Sportsboom (@Sportsboomcom) January 13, 2026
Other names on the radar: Arsenal’s Ben White, Bologna’s Emil Holm & Monaco’s Vanderson as Everton look to fix injury-hit options.#EFC #NFFC https://t.co/KngAXootKJ
Former Everton boss Sean Dyche unsurprisingly wants to keep the Nigerian international at all costs, and that could shut down any chance of a potential switch to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
However, if Moyes can somehow persuade Aina to join Everton, then they will be getting someone who Dyche rates highly.
“I am learning about him, I know he is a good character,” the 54-year-old said earlier this month.
“I managed teams that have played against him so I know about the pace and power he has got. We are looking forward to getting him back involved. He is in contention to come back into the group.”
Aina would give Everton something they’re lacking
The pace and power Dyche mentioned when discussing Aina is something Everton currently lacking, and the Nigerian would form a mouth-watering partnership with Iliman Ndiaye.
| Player | Opposition | Top speed (km/h) |
| Jackson Tchatchoua (WOL) | EVE | 37.30 |
|---|---|---|
| Bryan Mbeumo (MUN) | FUL | 36.36 |
| Dan James (LEE) | NEW | 36.14 |
| Yankuba Minteh (BHA) | MCI | 36.11 |
| Anthony Elanga (NEW) | LIV | 36.00 |
| Jeremie Frimpong (LIV) | BOU | 35.86 |
| Ola Aina (NFO) | WHU | 35.82 |
Before the Nottingham Forest star suffered his long-term injury in August, he clocked up one of the highest speeds recorded at the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Aina ran at 35.82 (km/h), placing him alongside the likes of Anthony Elanga, Jeremie Frimpong and Bryan Mbeumo in the Premier League.
Everton fans have had to watch O’Brien trudge down the right flank this term, while Vitalii Mykolenko isn’t much quicker on the opposite side, and that is why Aina – or someone similar – would be an appealing addition.
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