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Everton’s summer search for a long-term successor to Seamus Coleman at right-back hit a snag this week following reports that negotiations with Celtic for Canadian international Alistair Johnston have stalled, leaving the transfer on the verge of collapse.
David Moyes was reported to have personally contacted Celtic manager Martin O’Neill to express Everton's intent to sign the 27-year-old full-back. Johnston apparently signaled his desire to make the move to the Premier League. However, negotiations between the two clubs have encountered a major problem in terms of valuation: Celtic are holding firm for a fee in excess of £15M.
Everton's initial approach structured a package around £12M up front plus add-ons, which Parkhead chiefs rejected, and it appears in true TFG negotiating style, the Everton contingent have turned on their heels and walked away.
Celtic face a crucial Uefa Champions League play-off tie against Austrian side LASK in late August. Martin O'Neill and the Celtic hierarchy are extremely reluctant to part with key starters before securing group-stage football and the substantial financial windfall that comes with it.
With Celtic refusing to budge on price or timing, Everton representatives have started exploring contingency options rather than being held to ransom. Guéla Doué (Strasbourg) and Ridle Baku (RB Leipzig) have both emerged as primary alternatives being monitored by Everton's elite recruitment team.
Sources suggest Everton's interest in Johnston was genuine — Moyes's direct manager-to-manager call confirms that Everton viewed the Canadian right-back as a concrete option. However, unless Celtic lower their demands late in the window or Everton decide to meet the £15M price tag after selling fringe players, Moyes and the recruitment team will likely shift focus to Doué or Baku in the coming days.
Reader Comments (15)
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2 Posted 05/08/2026 at 21:49:31
We've no idea if he is the first choice or 5th/6th on the list.
3 Posted 06/08/2026 at 15:36:30
Moyes desperately needs a new full-back. Aznou must finally be used properly and regularly and not as a bit-part player. The same applies to Armstrong, Dibling and Alcaraz, otherwise we will end up with a repeat of last season's finish and 50,000 frustrated, not to say, angry fans!
4 Posted 06/08/2026 at 15:47:27
Surely there has to be a dot between the 1 and the 4??? Nonsense, absolute nonsense!
At that price, I'd put Merlin there and tell Celtic to do one.
5 Posted 06/08/2026 at 16:00:31
6 Posted 06/08/2026 at 16:41:05
In my opinion, he is a decent right-back and nothing more. Certainly nowhere near bloody £14M!!! Ridiculous!
You have to understand that Celtic and Rangers buy players for nowt but want top dollar selling them on. They have this old-fashioned idea that they can get anyone for nothing because they're Celtic and Rangers. Look at their net spend.
Sorry but not for me, I'm afraid.
7 Posted 06/08/2026 at 17:20:50
I see where West Ham signed the Brighton full-back, so is Wan-Bissaka available, for me the best choice by far for £15M-£20M. We're 3 years trying to buy a full-back?
Our owners, by the way, have no problem spending big at Roma.
8 Posted 06/08/2026 at 17:30:25
I seem to remember Roma have acquired 2 right backs that we were linked with while our elite recruitment team have sat on their arses and assumed they can just go and get targets.
It also doesn't help that the media are calling Everton a second-rate Premier League club and advising players to swerve EFC.
Someone needs to address that too.
9 Posted 06/08/2026 at 17:55:55
You can probably filter out a couple of dozen because they play at bigger clubs than us and/or in the Champions League. Some of the remaining 180 may not be good enough but surely among the 100 plus that remain, we can find one good enough and interested in playing in the best, highest-paid league in the world?
10 Posted 06/08/2026 at 18:09:56
Everton were probably thinking he could do a job, fill the gap for around £8-10M... then if they are looking for £14-15M... move on.
It's like Norgaard: he's not one for the long term, he's there to fill a gap. If you're paying £15M, you can get better than Johnston in my view.
11 Posted 06/08/2026 at 18:15:58
Come on, Champions League or 13th in the Premier League with no European football?
I think Roma are after a different level of players to us, or can attract a different level of player. I don't think Dan Friedkin is picking what right-back is going where!
12 Posted 06/08/2026 at 19:36:46
Is he so bad, Moyes won't play him? I must admit it's got me somewhat puzzled as I didn't see a bad player when I have watched him. Either play him or sell him, what's the point of keeping him here and having him rot on the bench?
13 Posted 06/08/2026 at 20:18:51
I saw a bit of our unwanted full-back when he was at Ibrox and was very impressed. When we signed him, I was extremely happy and thought it was a great long-term deal.
Something has happened along the way. I haven't a clue, don't think any if us have. He's not quoted by anyone so maybe best for both parties to move on. A shame really because I thought he was without doubt our future right-back.
14 Posted 06/08/2026 at 20:23:16
Might hold thing up anyway?
15 Posted 06/08/2026 at 20:54:46
If we fail to do that, leadership has no excuses and should be derided for at least the next 10 months.
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1 Posted 05/08/2026 at 21:39:35
Nothing is straightforward with our recruitment team!