Everton Eye £17m Alternative After Major Transfer Twist: Are The Toffees Taking A Gamble?

Everton Eye £17m Alternative After Major Transfer Twist: Are The Toffees Taking A Gamble? Everton have started preparing for life without their first-choice transfer target after Celtic resisted early interest in Alistair Johnston. David Moyes wants another right-back before the window closes, although the Scottish champions have shown little appetite for negotiations despite discussions over a possible £15 million offer. Everton turn to alternative right-back plan That situation has pushed Everton towards Atlético Madrid defender Nahuel Molina, who is available this summer as he enters the final year of his contract. Italian journalist Luca Cerchione first reported Everton’s interest, while transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio revealed Roma have already lodged a €15 million bid plus bonuses. Jamie Kemble later brought those updates together in a detailed report for GiveMeSport . Roma continue to monitor Feyenoord youngster Givairo Read as their preferred choice if his valuation drops from €25 million. Even so, Molina remains firmly in their plans. Atlético appear willing to listen because they would rather receive a transfer fee now than risk losing the Argentina international for nothing in 2027. Away from transfer business, FIFA has charged Molina after an alleged incident involving a Spain player following the 2026 World Cup final. BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – MARCH 27: Nahuel Molina of Argentina runs with the ball during the international friendly match between Argentina and Mauritania at Estadio Alberto J. Armando on March 27, 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images) Molina’s attacking record deserves respect. Across the 2025/26 La Liga season, he scored twice and supplied two assists in 26 appearances, playing 1,335 league minutes. He featured 13 times in the Champions League, added two Copa del Rey assists and started all seven of Argentina’s World Cup matches. Those numbers explain why several clubs remain interested. Yet Everton’s biggest weakness isn’t chance creation from right-back. Moyes needs someone capable of defending huge spaces, winning physical battles and staying switched on inside a disciplined back four. Molina has earned his reputation as an adventurous wing-back who loves driving into advanced positions and supporting attacks almost like an extra winger. Everton may regret overlooking Johnston Deploying Molina in a back five would maximise his strengths because he thrives with central defenders covering the space behind him. Everton rarely play that way. Moyes usually asks his full-backs to defend first and attack when opportunities naturally appear. There is another concern. Molina won 61% of his ground duels during the last campaign, a respectable figure without suggesting complete defensive authority. Everton’s central defenders don’t possess outstanding recovery pace, making every positional mistake far more expensive than it would be at Atlético Madrid. Johnston looks like the cleaner tactical match. He offers greater defensive balance, understands the physical side of the game and suits Moyes’ preferred structure far better, which makes Everton’s persistence over the Celtic defender far easier to understand.