Meet Ridle Baku: The 'whole package' defender set to end Everton transfer issue
Ridle Baku would certainly be a player to get Everton fans out of their seats.
As we move into the final few weeks of the summer transfer window, there is still work to be done on the recruitment front at Everton.
David Moyes is still searching for upgrades in attack and defence, as he looks to field a side capable of breaking into European football in 2026-27.
Baku could be next on the Toffees' transfer to-do list, with the RB Leipzig full-back having emerged in transfer reports linking him with a switch to Hill Dickinson Stadium this week.
Right-back has been a big problem position for Everton for some time now, and coming out of this window with at least one signing made there is an absolute must for Moyes.
Should Baku be their man, then testimony from those who he's worked under will fill Evertonians with confidence that he'd provide exactly what they're looking for at the position.
What Marco Rose knew he was always going to get with Ridle Baku
To his credit, Jake O'Brien has stepped up well at right-back for Everton considering he's a central defender by trade.
However, he is limited going forward as a right-back, providing just one goal and one assist from 37 Premier League appearances in 2025-26.
As aforementioned though, that's not his game, but Baku on the other hand is an exceptional athlete for the position, and would provide Moyes with a player capable of getting up and down the line non-stop for 90 minutes.
Speaking via Forbes in March 2025, ex-RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose said of Baku: "When it comes to Ridle Baku, you know you get at around 12 kilometres, 35 sprints and 36km/h.
"That’s why he was an important player in this match: because you know what you will get."
This industry is also evidenced in his underlying numbers at Leipzig, as he made 140 recoveries, 88 clearances, took 73 touches in the opposition box and created 37 chances as per FotMob, all of which were amongst the top-performing right-backs in the Bundesliga in 2025-26.
But it's not just his work rate and energy that he would bring to Everton, as detailed in an assessment of his profile from one of Leipzig's top chiefs.
Why Ridle may not just be a right-back for Everton
Baku signed for Leipzig in January 2025, having spent just over four years with fellow German side Wolfsburg prior.
He's since gone on to make 56 appearances for them, scoring four goals and providing three assists in all competitions.
Speaking via Leipzig's official website upon the confirmation of his transfer, Marcel Schafer - now Leipzig's managing director - highlighted some of Baku's other standout traits, and why he could hit the ground running at Everton.
"Ridle will give us more options in the future. He can play anywhere on the right side, loves to get forward, is a good finisher and tackler, and comfortable in possession too," he said.
"Additionally, Ridle is extremely quick and has recorded the most sprints in the Bundesliga this season. With this whole package, he fits perfectly with the RB Leipzig style of play.
"Thanks to his experience of almost 200 Bundesliga games, he won’t need long to settle in and will be able to help us immediately."
So, Baku does feel like the sort of shrewd signing Everton should make to fix their right-back problem.
He's a proven performer there in a top European league, his transfer wouldn't break the bank and he provides versatility, pace, energy and creativity to an area of the pitch where that's been lacking for the Toffees.