Everton's search for a right back continues, and the latest rumors (and frankly, maybe more than that) are linking the Blues with Celtic's Alistair Johnston.
Earlier today, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill told reporters that he has heard from Everton manager David Moyes about Johnston, with Moyes telling O'Neill to expect a more formal converstaion in the coming days.
Johnston was part of Canada's World Cup squad, starting all five of the country's matches during the competition, and playing a full 90 minutes in each of the matches. The right back returned to his club for training last week, just three weeks after Canada were eliminated.
The Canadian international will turn 28 in early October and has been with the Scottish giants for the last four campaigns, although only two of those four were full seasons after joining from MLS side CF Montreal after the 2022 World Cup.
While he was a regular starter in 2023/24 and 2024/25, but a pair of hamstring injuries, the latter of which required surgery, kept him out for all but seven matches last season, although he was clearly fit enough to play for Canada this summer. He missed a combined 57 games for club and country in that span.
Johnston appears to be a steady defensive fullback, although he has shown the ability to get up and down, with a relentless engine to keep flying up and down the wings to create chances. But the concern would be more focused on whether he can make the move to the Premier League effectively.
Most of that comes down to his physical traits, as he isn't particularly strong or pacey, even if he is known to be hard-working. The upside is that, as an international, Everton know he's faced off against top competition there, and he's also featured in 16 Champions League matches, albeit in limited minutes, and 25 minutes in the Europa Conference League.
The upside here is price, as Transfermarkt has his value listed at a mere €8 million (£6.8 million) while other reports suggest a number closer to €11-12 million (£10 million).
If that were the case, Everton could afford to bring him in as a depth piece alongside another player, giving Moyes options like he hasn't had at the position in a while.
But if Everton are banking on Johnston to come in and be the starting right back immediately, that would be more concerning, as the move doesn't inspire that kind of confidence.
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