Mykolenko deal suggests Everton have to remain prudent this summer
The club have secured the Ukrainian on a new three-year deal rather than see him walk for free next year and it could be that the transfer committee is still having to cut its cloth according to budget and need
While the future of Iliman Ndiaye and rumours of a move by Everton for Aaron Wan-Bissaka have dominated transfer-related online chat in recent days, the first concrete piece of news in the realm of recruitment and squad retention came this week with confirmation that Vitalii Mykolenko has signed a new three-year contract with the club.
The four-year deal that the 27-year-old signed in January 2021 was due to expire this summer and while the Blues had an option to trigger an automatic 12-month extension, they have opted to hand him fresh terms instead.
The decision is being held up by some as symbolic of the ownership’s ambition — or lack thereof. It’s a prudent measure, though, that heads off a potential situation next year where the Ukrainian walks away as a free agent which would deprive the club of any kind of transfer fee for a regular international player. It also provides a measure of security right now in a part of the team where only the unfenced Adam Aznou provides natural back-up.
Aznou’s treatment by David Moyes and the fact that the Moroccan international is being primed for a loan move elsewhere next season has been a bone among supporters but the situation does leave Everton short-handed at left-back.
Indeed, when Mykolenko was unable to kick off 2025/26 at Leeds because of injury, James Garner was pressed into action as an emergency full-back in that position while Moyes also saw fit at one stage to deploy Jarrad Branthwaite there as well in the away fixture at Brighton in late January.
The hope, of course, is that left-back is as high on the priority list as right-back this summer and not just for the lack of options there. While offering a diligent and dependable defensive presence, Mykolenko’s attacking metrics have been always been his weak point and, in an era where attacking full-backs are a vital part of the game, it’s often hindered the Toffees going forward under the last three managers.
However, Everton’s failure to qualify for Europe and the fact they slipped out of the top half to finish 13th last month could restrict the budget for new players during the close season and could force the transfer committee to to be selective. (The club budgeted to finish 12th but will now miss out on around £40m in merit payments and Uefa money.)
With Seamus Coleman moving on, Nathan Patterson also a likely departure this summer and Jake O’Brien’s form in the run-in a painful demonstration of how ill-suited is to the role, right-back is regularly held up as a priority. Additionally, the club are known to be seeking a goal-scoring winger, reinforcements in midfield and could well make a move to address the centre-forward position if the right opportunity presents itself.
If the committee does elect to take up the option of signing Tyrique George, he is likely to cost around £20m, a similar figure to that already due to Freiburg for the acquisition on a permanent basis of Merlin Röhl. Add in a potential re-upping of Jack Grealish’s loan from Manchester City at another reported £12.5m and Everton will have committed to an outlay of around £50m before they’ve even addressed right-back where, in truth, they probably need to sign two players, not just one.
It is unquestionably true that if Everton are to kick on and realise the dream of not only qualifying for Europe but being successful in Continental competition, they will need to sign an upgrade on Mykolenko. If all goes to plan he could either become a solid deputy to a new left-back signing or, as a contracted player, be sold for cash in a year's time.
While his attitude, commitment and professionalism can’t be faulted and he more than played his role in keeping the Toffees in the Premier League during its darkest days — who could forget that sublime volley at Leicester?! — the limitations in his game mean that he can’t be viewed as the long-term answer on the left side of defence.
The nagging concern is that despite having managed one of the finest left-backs of the Premier League era in Leighton Baines, Moyes may not see it that way — or, at the very least, might not see any urgency in signing an alternative.
In that case, those fans who have greeted yesterday’s news with a degree of scepticism and frustration may have to resign themselves to the fact that “Myko” will be in the line-up when 2026/27 kicks off in August.
The question is, will a solution have been found on the other side of defence and will that acquisition sufficiently compensate where a 6’ 6” clearlu centre-half wasn’t able to during the season just gone?
Reader Responses
Selected thoughts from readers09/06/2026 06:14:25
Far too many players on contracts we couldn't really afford have walked out the door for free in recent years. I think if there is still a role for the player on the pitch then fine, extend his contract. If we get an offer for him down the line then great.
I think the answer to right back for now is just to play Patterson. If he has a decent world cup, he could come back with some confidence and having played games. There will still be time in the transfer window to sign a back up.
The outlay for Grealish is definitely going to impact the transfer budget, especially when you take in to account whatever share of his wages we'll be paying. I can only assume it's a long term plan to possibly sign him for free next summer. My question is more short term in that is he spending the summer in rehab post injury or is he busy having fun? Not having a fit and ready to contribute player until late September or early October potentially would be a waste.
20m on Tyrique George is a snip. Long term, I think paying the money for players like him and Rohl is just better value than Grealish.
09/06/2026 08:10:31
Kieran #2
Grealish, yes, he's on a one-year loan, and the insurance only covered part of his wages while he was injured. I wouldn't take him for another season either. The value just isn't there. We'd be better off looking elsewhere.
Signing someone like George or Rohl fits the model we saw last summer. I doubt a right-back is a priority. Hopefully Patterson has a strong World Cup and makes that decision easy.
Moyes will be under pressure to develop the lads we brought in last summer.The question is will he do it? Take Anou. he's not even in the squad right now.Moving on young players this Summer,would be telling regarding Moyes.
Hackney is exactly the type we should be looking at in midfield. I expect Gyene and DH to keep similar roles to last season, covering for Tim and James. But I think Garner will get more minutes, and Gyene will be used more as a blocker. If we get extra game time out of Gyene at his age, that's a bonus. Harry #1 hasn't said anything I disagree with.
We need to see who leaves first. That will shape what happens with young players coming in, and then what Moyes gets toward the end of the window. It won't be enough. And then Moyes will try to lower our expectations.
More of the same, Moyes managing down, Kinnear being weak (and in my view, Kinnear brought Moyes in). As for TFG? They need to get real on the footballing side.
09/06/2026 08:15:07
People argue that Moyes, is the one who sees the players everyday and anyone who isn’t getting a start, or coming on as a sub, must therefore not be doing enough in training.
Aznou, must be one of these kids, but when he played against Sunderland, he was bright and energetic, the complete opposite in many ways of how a lot of senior players, saw out the season.
It’s been such a wasted year for him and Dibling because the only way that a young player is going to improve is by playing regular senior football.
I can understand why we have kept Mykolenko, but everyone knows we aren’t really going to improve, until we bring in players with more quality in certain positions. You could say that he suits the system we are currently using though, which is probably what concerns a lot of people the most?
09/06/2026 08:32:10
Keeping Myko as a squad player does make sense, and it does still allow for him to move on at a price in the future.
I doubt Grealish would accept a pay as you play deal, so he is a costly option, but he would have made a huge difference had he been available full seson, our run in might have been so much better.
There are no signs of a manager change, so will Moyes bend to accomodate youth, or will he grind out another anguished season, he is not an attractive option for the type of players we really need.
09/06/2026 10:46:43
Jerome, I would agree that much may depend on who leaves. Player unrest is something I've mentioned recently. There must be a level of dissatisfaction with how some players feel they have been managed.
Loaning out players like Dibling, Aznou and Armstrong may deplete the squad further.
09/06/2026 11:57:55
Hopefully we still buy another first choice LB and put Aznou out on loan for development or sell him. Mykolenko becomes reliable cover only. It’d be great to have a dynamic left back again with high quality delivery like Baines or Digne.
09/06/2026 14:30:03
If Iliman Ndiaye has a good World Cup, as I think he will, then many clubs will be looking to bring him in. I think I would cash in on him while he's at the top of his game and use the money to secure Grealish. Job #1 for our Dithering Dave is to bring in a proper striker who can play off Grealish and Garner.
09/06/2026 15:43:01
I think it shows that we will continue to be prudent this summer with not too many, if any, really eye catching signings.
I would like a new proper goal scoring centre forward but Moyes will say we’ve got two forwards already.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we continue to utilise O’Brien at right back at least some of the time. The way he played those last few games we might as well play Patterson and save some money.
Still need a good left back but that will probably be a last minute loan deal.
I know I’m sounding defeatist but those last seven games knocked the stuffing out of me and keeping Moyes, which we will do, will mean players that fit into his pragmatic, defensive style at least for one more season.
09/06/2026 16:30:45
I think by the end of summer we might have a first and second XI along these lines:
Pickford
Lewis (City)
Mykolenko
O’Brien
Branthwaite
Garner
Hackney (Boro)
Dewsbury-Hall
Grealish (City - Loan)
Fatawu (Leicester)
Delap (Chelsea)
Travers
Kpakio (Cardiff)
Aznou
Harwood-Bellis (Saints)
Keane
Armstrong
Rohl
Alcaraz
Dibling
George (Chelsea)
Barry
It’s not what I would choose to do with the available budget etc but it’s not bad - and would be our best squad in many years. Certainly better placed for Europe, cups and better football than the season just gone.
09/06/2026 18:47:55
Nick. If N'Diaye doesn't want to sign a new contract and a good world cup really turns his head, then yep, let him go. I'm not a fan of trying to hang on to a player whose heart isn't in it.
Peter, the end to the season knocked the stuffing out of a lot of us. I wouldn't be too hopeful right now about next season.
09/06/2026 21:20:38
Robert, apart from Grealish, Hackney and George where are you getting those new names from? Are they rumours you’ve heard or just players you think we should be going for?
09/06/2026 21:52:34
All regularly linked and likely to move, Mark. They are part of a core group of players being linked to pretty much every Premier League club outside of the rich 8 so whether they come to us is another matter. But you could see how / why the recruitment team and Moyes too might like the look of them. Loads of other options too of course but it looks like these are the priority positions that will get addressed in the window
09/06/2026 00:06:34
Grealish (City - Loan) Fatawu (Leicester) Delap (Chelsea)
This is not an improvement on our end-of-the-season team. However, there is considerable speculation that the boozy stripper boy will stay at City (fingers crossed; he's an embarrassment)and that George will not be joining us. On top of this, Delap and Fatawu are at this moment pure gossip. I would never take whispers however persistent as any sort of basis to build upon.
Robert, why are there no continental players or any from the Americas in your predictions? This is where the most productive signings for the three B's have come from. Why not us?
We ought to be shopping in the Lille, Celta Vigo, Getafe, Rayo Vallencano, Renne, Strasbourg, Hoffenheim, Mainz (and so on) markets. This is where we will find our gems potentially and, if this new recruitment team is as good as some seem to think, in South America. In fact, the incoming are by and large somewhat obvious and predictable signings that would require very little erm 'research' from our crack recruiters.
The only potentially gemmish type in your list Robert is Hackney. In fact, your list might be 'realistic' but it's fairly depressing and should keep us around 11-13th.
What happened to Tarkowski?
I would say, however, that something like Robert's XI x2 could conceivably be the result of one more year for Moyes and this would set our club back by two years at least.
If we cannot afford 'quality' top sterling then we need to dig deep and wide. It will be criminal if our new crack recruitment team do not bring in a Brighton-type deal for a couple (at least) of continental and South American lads.
10/06/2026 00:34:22
Signing Myko to a new contract makes perfect financial sense. Giving him a £2m annual raise preserves his market value of £15-20m should we want to sell him next summer.
We should absolutely be shopping in other world markets, not just in Europe but in both Americas. In January Villareal signed USA right back Alex Freeman, one of the fastest players on the planet, out of MLS for £3m. By season's end he was getting starts for them. He will start for the USA in the WC. Watch and see what we overlooked.
Robert, I wince right down to my socks when Delap is mentioned. I have never seen so much as a moment from him that would imply he's worth what he would cost.
Kieran #2, the words "answer to right back" and "Patterson" should not appear in the same sentence. Or paragraph. Or page, for that matter. (Now watch him prove me wrong with a couple of goals at the WC.)
10/06/2026 01:12:19
On Americans, I know that we are far from being the only PL club in American hands, but you might think that this might give us an incentive or dare I say advantage in bringing someone like Freeman to our club that once had pretty tight ex-player links to North America.
Question: have Mexican-Americans featured in US teams and to what scale?
Delap and Everton should never appear in the same sentence. Like MG, I shudder and wince. However, we all know that he is a classic Moyes type buy.
10/06/2026 05:20:44
I don’t think it matters how good a World Cup Patterson has. If, after 18 months, Moyes hasn’t seen enough to trust him and play him, a few games in North America this summer is unlikely to convince him. Best case is Patterson impresses someone enough to sign him, perhaps Rangers who were linked last week.
10/06/2026 06:15:42
Haven't Sheffield Utd been linked to Patterson?
10/06/2026 07:44:01
Lyndon, fair point on Patterson. I had thought that as an actual real life right back on our books, we may as well play him. If he isn't going to get game time under Moyes, and other clubs want him, then take the money and add it to the pot.
Mike, I dare say you watch a lot more Everton than I do. I bow to your knowledge!
10/06/2026 08:53:31
As I said - the illustrative (not predicted) first and second XI above is not how I would choose to spend our budget, and lots of alternatives exist too.
The players mentioned are all available for sale and (you can debate the merits) relatively safe bets / decent value. This is a key part of their attraction and why they are linked to at least half of all Premier League clubs (and a few across Europe too). There’s a good chance one of those players joins (although unlikely all of them).
Clearly the recruitment team will be looking across the globe in lower cost / better value markets etc too. In terms of hidden gems though, I don’t really believe these are exist.
Take Zadok Yohanna, the teenage Nigerian winger Brighton have just bought from AIK in Sweden for about €28m. He’s been all over the transfer rumours, data analytics sites and YouTube scouting channels for months - making him very visible to amateur transfer market enthusiasts like me - and even more so for professional recruitment teams who have access to much better data analytics and visibility of international youth tournaments.
Everton does know who these players are.
10/06/2026 11:42:35
"Everton does know who these players are."
That's quite a concern, Robert.
If they know who they are, why do we end up with players that barely get to step onto the pitch, a striker who seems completely out of his depth, no recognised right back for the first XI, & just one signing that really worked - KDH, who was a known quantity already & quite a low risk buy?
Something, somewhere ain't working right!
10/06/2026 12:29:09
There’s a few reasons Dennis but it largely boils down to the state of our squad / finances since Moshiri pulled the plug in 2021.
Last summer only 5 Premier Lesgue clubs spent less than us - and we needed to fix up a squad barely surviving each season and left with only 13 first team players (quite a few of whom were crap).
We therefore needed a small kitty to fill a lot of gaps with players who were expected to be mature enough to handle first team football.
Contrast that with, say, Brighton who spent €65.5m on two teenage Greek strikers - knowing they already had Welbeck and €47m Rutter as forwards (and Ferguson rehabilitating at Roma on loan).
Those two Greek strikers contributed just 3 goals in 30 appearances between them - considerably worse value than €30m Thierno Barry. However, the Greeks are probably more talented than Barry and could become excellent in time. Barry is very unlikely become excellent.
So it’s all a matter of how much you can afford and how long you’re prepared to wait.
10/06/2026 13:15:32
Well, Robert that squad that barely survived was surviving just as well as we survived last season - we've now had 4 seasons of standing still as regards our League performance. Probably a fifth one ahead of us that'll be just the same. Apparently, your "barely surviving" is now viewed as "stability" - which just sounds like another way of saying we're going nowhere.
The circumstances you describe don't really make the case for spending what little money we had primarily to strengthen the bench. Most of our regular first team players last season were the same "crap" players we were utilising the previous season.
If some of those players are seen as more for the future, then how will they develop into the players we need them to be by sitting on the bench most of the time?
It seems to me there's some disjointed thinking going on somewhere in the set up.
10/06/2026 14:44:07
Belated edit - first paragraph above should refer to "3" & "fourth", respectively, with regard to performances per season.
10/06/2026 14:51:24
Perhaps the prudence came from knowing that having to pay £40M to Burnley was just around the corner… Either that or the Roma squad needed a new kit tailored from actual gold thread and a new stadium built entirely from finest Carrara marble…
Wait for it…
10/06/2026 15:06:32
Just seen that £40m compensation news Peter. A big blow.
I gather the legacy of Moshiri meant we wouldn’t be able to spend more than c. £150m this summer. That’s really not a lot these days - more than half of the Premier League spent £200m or more last season).
Sadly Dennis I agree things aren’t right particularly (and I’d have spent last summers kitty differently too).
The reality for this summer and next season is that if £40m of an already modest kitty is lost to Burnley then it will be hard enough to tread water let alone kick on.
Moshiri left us in an absolute mess.
10/06/2026 15:20:15
No Moshiri & Bill statue at HDS then, Robert?
10/06/2026 15:30:03
I’d sooner have a statue of Alex Nyarko, Dennis.
10/06/2026 16:02:25
Along with the supporter offering to swap shirts with him, Robert?
10/06/2026 21:29:45
Regsrds the £40M payout to Burnley, lets hope the Everton Legsl Team, are in diligent form.
This sets a precedent, and in view of City, getting off so far, theyre time will come soon, to face sanctions.
Then the Clubs who lost out on winning trophies to City, will be claimimg for lost prize money, sponsor ships etc.
The gsmes a stinking mess, hopefully Everton put a claim in for the x3 pens proven but not given, v Arsenal, West Ham and City.
We wait and see.
The World Cup, and hopefully a cracker.
10/06/2026 21:57:34
Kieran#6
Yes alot depends on who is moved on.I think Lyndon is right, Patterson is in the shop window, maybe he can revitalise his career elsewhere.
The £40 million payout will make things tighter.
10/06/2026 23:32:47
More important than what we have to spend Robert T is how we spend it. Dennis (21) is correct.
10/06/2026 23:34:37
Why assume that the £40m 'fi e', if indeed our appeals fails, will come out of our transfer kitty?
11/06/2026 00:47:34
'Fine' sorry. Didn't spot it to edit.
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09/06/2026 00:38:57
It makes sense, however I’d like to think we’re on the lookout for a left back if Aznou isn’t cutting it, although he’s hardly had a look in to be fair to him, clearly Moyes isn’t impressed with what he’s seeing in training, I thought he looked bright against Sunderland in the fa cup defeat winning a penalty, only to be frozen out completely since as Moyes doesn’t like anything bright and fresh. Moyes is the Ebenezer Scrooge of football, he seems to have a real disdain for youth and anything vibrant. Moyes the Messiah? Moyes the Mizer!