Everton in contact to sign Kyle Walker-Peters | OneFootball

Everton are heavily interested in signing Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters in the January transfer window, according to a report from The Star.

The Toffees boss David Moyes said last week that he is confident that Everton will sign a few players before the window closes, and there are suggestions that The Friedkin Group will help him with funds to make new additions.

The Turkish media outlet claims that Everton remain in contact to sign Walker-Peters, who has only six months remaining on his current deal at St Mary’s.

Southampton are looking more likely to get relegated this season, and Walker-Peters has made it clear that he won’t sign a new deal at the club.

Turkish club Galatasaray are keen to land him, and they have made a £5 million bid for the former Tottenham Hotspur defender.

While he is valued at around £16.8m, it is highly unlikely that Everton or any other club would be willing to cross a double-digit figure to sign him.

The 27-year-old is a vastly experienced full-back who can play on both flanks.

Walker-Peters started his senior career with Tottenham and made only 24 appearances before he moved to Southampton. He first joined the Saints on loan before moving to St Mary’s permanently.

He has made over 175 appearances for the Saints and scored six goals.

Everton have Vitali Mykolenko as the first-choice left-back, but they do not have a proper back-up option. Ashley Young can play there, but the 39-year-old player can’t be a long-term solution.

Young has made 19 appearances this season (started in 17 of them), which shows Everton’s lack of depth in full-back areas.

At right-back, they need an upgrade too. Seamus Coleman has struggled with form and fitness, and it’s time the Toffees look for a better option.

Nathan Patterson remains an option, but Moyes needs another experienced full-back in the long run. He has used Jake O’Brien at right-back in recent games.