Everton’s dramatic transfer deadline day has taken another twist, with a move for Lyon’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles having come out of nowhere.
Sky Sports, The Bobble and now, ToffeeWeb sources, have confirmed a £4M deal has been agreed with the French club for the 29-year-old, who will now head to Merseyside for a medical and, if all is well, to complete his move.
THE RIGHT-BACK SOLUTION?
On Monday, it seemed a deal with Fulham for Kenny Tete was progressing well, with Everton having struck an agreement at around £9M for the 30-year-old Dutchman.
That move was hardly inspiring, but would have seen a specialist right-back finally come in.
However, the move seems to have been held up on Fulham’s end, and Everton have apparently moved swiftly to ensure they do have an alternative through the door.
Maitland-Niles is younger than Tete, and is costing around £5M less in terms of a fee, with likely lower wages. He brings plenty of experience and versatility, which is a positive.
He came through at Arsenal as a midfielder, though has spent most of his time at Lyon playing at right-back.
However, it’s another underwhelming solution to the long-standing right-back issue, and yet more questions are going to be asked about the scattergun approach to this transfer window.
WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING?
Jack Grealish’s medical is under way, while Folarin Balogun still seems on track to complete his move from Monaco.
Everton have rebuffed an approach from West Ham for Michael Keane, according to The Athletic’s Paddy Boyland, while Jake O’Brien, according to The Bobble, is not going to be leaving the club either.
Tim Iroegbunam is on course to join Hull City, with Nathan Patterson heading to Torino.
There’s still uncertainty over whether Everton’s push for Richarlison will prove fruitful, while German media have reported the Toffees were knocked back by Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling. The offer from Everton was reportedly worth €43m including add-ons, with €35m guaranteed.
Reader Comments (30)
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2 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:15:50
Wonder how Angus is going to explain this one? Maybe he'll go silent again?
3 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:16:27
4 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:20:08
5 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:20:53
6 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:21:27
7 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:29:10
8 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:30:59
9 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:33:13
29 might not have any sell-on value, but it is hardly old in modern terms and is a good age for experience and fitness too. Defending is also about positioning - something that gets better with age.
10 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:42:16
11 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:43:54
12 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:45:52
Anyone would think we didn't have £300m to spend!!!!
13 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:46:06
Niles is a better option than Tete for me anyway, a year younger, cheaper and probably a better player.
14 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:47:19
It's not the 70s anymore
15 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:48:58
16 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:49:18
17 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:55:09
I don't understand what people want. Cafu has retired.
18 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:56:52
Was he one of our first choice right backs? No. On that basis, it's a fail by the management team.
That said, other than arguably Grealish, the buys are an upgrade on what we had, one way or another. Johnson is better than McNeil, Norgard is better than Gana (mainly due to age), Hackney is better than Tim, Mailtand Niles is better than Patterson and Balogun is better than Beto.
Assuming all these deals go through and the fax machine doesn't break.
19 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:57:48
Cheaper, younger (just) and not injury prone as he's made over 30 League appearances in each of the last 2 seasons. 23 the year before that.
It's not exactly exciting, but it's better than what we currently have.
20 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:58:04
An ex England international for £5m ! we should be so lucky, it could yet be the deal of the window.
At 29 he has several years in the tank.
I remember Paul Power, David Weir, Richard Gough, Gareth Barry, all 30+ playing for Everton and brilliant additions so lets not have any age related problems mentioned lads
21 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:58:20
22 Posted 01/09/2026 at 14:05:42
23 Posted 01/09/2026 at 14:09:21
Whoever it is, can’t we sign him (as well as Maitland-Niles) as they clearly think he’s better than the Dutchman?
24 Posted 01/09/2026 at 14:10:52
Mid table club which has not been attractive for decades. We'vs got a RB now to last another five to six years.
25 Posted 01/09/2026 at 14:15:25
26 Posted 01/09/2026 at 14:19:17
27 Posted 01/09/2026 at 14:19:42
28 Posted 01/09/2026 at 14:21:58
Let’s go and get him then! 🤣
29 Posted 01/09/2026 at 14:22:58
'We need a right back! Where's our right back!'
Cue the club chasing loads all season and getting beaten to Doue, Munoz, etc, Tete pulling out as Fulham couldn't replace.
Then they get an actual right back, someone we'd been linked to in the past, and point one for most is, he's too old, at twenty nine!! Jesus.
30 Posted 01/09/2026 at 14:23:22
That's a bizarre comment. Just because there might be a number one target, not signing that target is not a failure of anyone at Everton.
There's a lot more to signing a player than simply wanting them more than another player.
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1 Posted 01/09/2026 at 13:15:48