Credit: Imago

Chris Smith

Sun 10 August 2025 17:46, UK

Everton could be forced to step up their interest in Leicester City defender James Justin amid updates on a pair of their full-backs.

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But David Moyes has not been shy in calling for the club to make more signings as they seek to put an end to their four-season run in the bottom half of the Premier League.

Everton have already been in the market for a right-back this summer, trying and failing to sign Kenny Tete from Fulham.

With the departure of Ashley Young, the Toffees have only Nathan Patterson and Seamus Coleman as natural options in that position — with the latter not living up to his potential so far and the latter turning 37 in October and enduring bad luck with injuries in recent years.

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Centre-back Jake O’Brien has been covering there since Moyes returned to the club in January, but that has a knock-on effect on Everton’s depth at centre-back.

On Saturday, Everton’s full-back crisis was deepened as Vitaliy Mykolenko was brought off just 12 minutes into their 1-0 friendly defeat to Roma — becoming the first senior player to be substituted at Everton’s new stadium in the process.

Mykolenko now looks set to miss Everton’s Premier League opener against Leeds next week at the very least, with his status beyond that trip to Elland Road still unclear (Goodison News, 10 August).

Football Insider verdict

James Justin could be a target for Everton (Credit: Imago)

According to a report from the Liverpool Echo (10 August), Everton face further uncertainty with outside interest being shown in Patterson.

Even without the Scotsman’s exit, Moyes needs help on the flanks, but that would only solidify that position.

However, that same report states that Everton have been ‘offered’ a potential solution in the form of Leicester City‘s James Justin.

It’s understood Justin has been presented to the Toffees as an option who could be available for as little as £6million, which would certainly help Everton save funds as they seek to further bolster their attack and midfield.



Leicester City statsJames JustinAppearances167Goals11Assists10James Justin’s Leicester career stats

Justin offers a dual solution for Everton thanks to his ability to play on both flanks.

The 27-year-old is a two-footed player and has clocked up 122 combined appearances at right-back and right-wing-back, and 108 appearances on the left across his career so far (Transfermarkt).

It remains to be seen whether or not Everton will move for Justin, but the Luton-born defender has 99 games of Premier League experience under his belt to go alongside his versatility and cheap price.

It feels like a no-brainer for the Toffees, who still have extensive surgery to perform on this squad.

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