Everton have been in search of a right back since last summer. Their dedicated search for a Seamus Coleman successor hit dead end last transfer window but that hasn’t derailed them from their search. The Toffees remained determined to find a long term successor to the faithful Irishman who has been a pillar in the Everton defence for over a decade.
Last summer, the names of Alessandro Florenzi, Diogo Dalot, Mehmet Zeki Celik and Santiago Arias were regularly linked to Everton. However, the most exciting target for the summer transfer window is Norwich City right back Max Aarons. Despite Norwich’s failure in the Premier League, there were individual performers who caught the eye. It’s a different thing that the individual heroics didn’t translate into team success.
Aarons, Todd Cantwell, Emiliano Buendia, Ben Godfrey all had stellar seasons. Aarons left people stunned with his brilliant attacking skills from the right back position. Even though he just registered 1 assist throughout the campaign, his expected assist tally is 3.4, meaning that the chances he created in the final third weren’t scored often. Aarons also possesses exceptional on the ball skills and the ability to retain possession. (via FBref)
Fabrizio Romano stated that Everton are surely interested in signing Aarons. The Englishman is wanted across Europe. Barcelona tried to sign him in the 2020 transfer window before eventually signing Sergino Dest from Ajax. Bayern Munich were firmly interested in the 21 year old but the latest developments suggest that the Bavarians are now not too keen on the right back as they are not convinced to pay £35 million for him.
Everton will compete with Manchester United for Max Aarons
Manchester United have scouted him before and will make a decision soon. However, Everton may have an edge over Manchester United as the Toffees can offer him something that the Red Devils cant. Manchester United signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka in 2019 to bolster their right back department. Instantly, the 23 year old was drafted into the starting lineup.
The Red Devils are searching for a backup to Wan-Bissaka as Dalot’s future at Old Trafford remains up in the air. Wan-Bissaka is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first choice and will remain the preferred right back. Aarons will find regular game time hard to come by should Manchester United sign him.
On the other hand, Everton can offer Aarons regular first team football. Coleman is running out of juice and will turn 33 in October. The next season will likely be the transition phase where Coleman will take a supporting role and the new signing will be preferred. Aarons stands a good chance of getting regular appearances should he adapt to the Everton system convincingly.
A decisive summer awaits Aarons and perhaps his friend Ben Godfrey can play the role of an agent and convince him about life in Merseyside and the culture at Everton. The Englishman is one of the most exciting young players in the country and signing him will secure the right back position for years.