Everton’s transfer window is heating up with right-backs in the spotlight-Mandela Keita and Jack Grealish are among the names linked to potential exits as the club eyes squad overhaul. League standing: 13th in Premier League, 49 points from 38 games, 13 wins, 10 draws and 15 losses, with recent form a worrying LLDDL.
What’s driving the right-back shuffle?
The Toffees are weighing options at right-back after a tough season that left them 36 points behind league leaders Arsenal. Goals this season tell the story: 47 scored, 50 conceded, a goal difference of minus three. The last result-a 1-0 loss to Tottenham on 24 May 2026-caps a run of three straight defeats, with recent form reading LLLDD. Manager Sean Dyche faces pressure to tighten the defence before the next fixture, a trip to Stoke City on 28 July 2026.
Mandela Keita’s role in the mix
Mandela Keita, 25, has been a fringe figure under Dyche, often used as a rotational option at right-back. His contract runs until 2027, but sources suggest Everton are open to offers to free up wages. Keita’s versatility-he can slot in at left-back or midfield-adds value, yet his first-team minutes have dwindled. A sale could free up funds for a more senior replacement, though any deal would hinge on a fee that reflects his potential rather than his recent game time.
Jack Grealish’s unexpected exit chatter
Jack Grealish, 29, has been a surprise name in exit talks after just one season at Everton. The winger-turned-right-back experiment hasn’t stuck, and with his £100m price tag still looming over the squad, the club may finally cash in. Grealish’s wages are steep, and a move-even at a loss-could ease Everton’s wage bill. Rival clubs have shown lukewarm interest, but no concrete bids have materialised yet.
Who might replace them?
With the window open, Everton are scouting younger right-backs who can offer defensive solidity. Names like James Justin (Leicester) and Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen) have been floated, though both would command fees north of £40m. Dyche’s preference leans toward homegrown talent, but the market for experienced Premier League right-backs is thin. A loan with an option to buy could be the pragmatic route.
Everton kick off against Stoke City on 28 July 2026, a match that could set the tone for the new season. The right-back question isn’t just tactical-it’s existential for Dyche’s reshaped squad.
