Everton eye move for talented Hellas Verona ace Jackson Tchatchoua
Everton appear to have found their potential heir to Seamus Coleman in the form of Hellas Verona ace Jackson Tchatchoua.
According to Italian news outlet TMW, the Toffees are reportedly keen on the 22-year-old Cameroonian defender, who impressed on loan at Verona last season.
Tchatchoua joined the Mastiffs on an initial season-long loan deal last summer and quickly established himself as a regular, making 26 appearances in Serie A.
His performances convinced Verona to activate their purchase option, securing him on a permanent deal worth £2.5 million.
Tchatchoua, who has already won two caps with the Cameroon national team, has a contract with the Italian outfit that runs until the summer of 2027.
However, his impressive performances have sparked serious interest from Everton, who are now considering a move for the talented defender.
According to TMW, Verona will not stand in Tchatchoua’s way if he wants to leave the club this summer.
However, they’re likely to demand around £7m for the right-back, with the club determined to recoup nearly three times the fee they paid to sign him just 12 months ago.
Everton’s pursuit of a long-term successor for their veteran right-back Coleman is no secret.
While the ever-reliable skipper has pledged his allegiance to the club for one more season, the Toffees are on the market for a long-term replacement.
Nathan Patterson was expected to take the reins after joining the club in January 2021, but injuries and inconsistency have made the Toffees reluctant to put their faith in him.
38-year-old veteran Ashley Young, who featured at right-back last season, is not a long-term solution either, although he has also agreed to remain at the club for the 2024/25 campaign.
Tchatchoua still has plenty of room for improvement, but he’s a talented defender who could be a shrewd addition to Sean Dyche’s squad, especially at his current value.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com