Nathan Patterson rues his luck as Everton exit path appears to close off

Nathan Patterson may have seen his best possible route of an exit out of Everton this summer close off.

The right-back has struggled for playing time under David Moyes and has been told he can find a new club this summer.

Patterson played just 240 minutes of Premier League football this past season, with Moyes often using Jake O'Brien out of position instead.

Despite his lack of action at club level, Patterson has still been included as part of Scotland's World Cup squad.

Positive performances in the United States, if used, would only enhance Patterson's hopes of finding a new team.

However, it looks like the favourites to sign him are now closing in on a different option.

Rangers move for different right-back in bad news for Nathan Patterson

Rangers are a club close to Patterson's heart, having emerged through their academy and into the first team.

It was the 24-year-old's displays for the Gers that earned him a move to Everton in January 2022 in the region of £11million.

Patterson's Everton career got off to a very slow start, picked up, and then completely faded away once again after injury.

That is not to say there is not a talented full-back in Patterson, however, and Everton could definitely recoup some money this summer.

But Rangers, the side most strongly linked with re-signing the Glasgow native, now appear to be looking elsewhere.

Reports have emerged suggesting they are in talks to sign Westerlo right-back Bryan Reynolds instead.

It is unlikely they will move for two players in the same position this window, even if long-serving James Tavernier has moved on.

What about Everton's own search for a right-back?

There is no doubt Moyes would like a specialist right-back recruited before the start of the next season.

It has been reported this week that Atalanta's Raoul Bellanova is now being eyed by Everton.

The Italian has spent the past couple of seasons at Atalanta, having arrived from fellow Serie A side Torino.

He is known as being an attack-minded full-back, or indeed wing-back, though he does still have three years to run on his contract.

Regardless of the latest in Everton's own search for a right-back, Patterson will know his time at Hill Dickinson Stadium is up.