View: Everton could jump ahead of queue to sign defender with pre-contract agreement surely possible
Everton have already identified their key area for improvement in the January transfer window.
David Moyes is desperate for a right-back as multiple names have been thrown in the mix over the past couple of days at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Jake O’Brien has been playing out of position to accommodate the right-back spot, and as a result, has been criticised for poor performances.
The Toffees know that upgrading this position is vital for their chances of qualifying for European football at the end of the season, but they may have to play the waiting game for their ideal man.
Everton have been credited with interest in Shakhtar Donetsk’s Yukhym Konoplya, but the Friedkin Group may have the perfect plan to sign the Ukrainian ahead of competition.
Everton can beat competition with Konoplya contract agreement
Konoplya is out of contract at the end of the season, with reports suggesting that Everton can sign the right-back on a cheaper deal this month.
As highlighted by Sofascore, the 26-year-old looks to be more than capable of playing in the Premier League, with glowing statistics emerging from his current.
However, as much as Konoplya would be a fantastic arrival in January, the truth is, they face heavy competition from the likes of Ajax and Werder Bremen.
But there is a way for the Friedkin Group to beat sides in the race for the defender.
- Konoplya’s contract expires with Shakhtar in September 2026
- His side still has 14 league games left to play this campaign
Everton will soon be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with Konoplya to join upon the expiry date of his deal with Shakhtar.
The Ukrainian side are in second in their division, level on points with first-place LNZ Cherkasy, and the likelihood is that they will want to keep their full-back in an attempt to win the league again.
The Toffees have a much higher chance of getting Konoplya ahead of Ajax and Werder Bremen by negotiating terms of a pre-contract agreement with both the player and Shakhtar.
Everton have a solution for imminent right-back transfer
The Toffees have been linked with the likes of Botafogo’s Vitinho and Bologna’s Emil Holm already this window.
The right-back’s would both cost Everton a pretty penny if they were to come to Merseyside this window, but Moyes can use a different market.
Everton have been mooted to use the loan market as a means to prevent any overspending in January and to keep the club in a healthy financial position.
It means that permanent deals are less likely, and makes all the more sense for the Friedkin Group to pursue deals like Konoplya.
Time will tell, but there’s a clear strategy for the Toffees to use this month.
Stay up to date this winter with our Everton transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Ibrox, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.
The post View: Everton could jump ahead of queue to sign defender with pre-contract agreement surely possible appeared first on Goodison News.
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