Moyes Targets Djed Spence as Everton Move to Resolve Right-Back Shortage
David Moyes is pushing to sign Tottenham right-back Djed Spence to address Everton’s chronic right-back issues, with the club preparing a summer approach while Spurs weigh his future. (156 characters)
David Moyes has identified Djed Spence as a leading candidate to shore up Everton’s right-back position ahead of the summer transfer window. The Everton manager views Spence as a potential long-term solution after a season in which the club repeatedly lacked specialist options on the right flank. Tottenham Hotspur retain the player’s registration and valuation, meaning any move will hinge on negotiations between the two clubs and Spence’s own plans following international duty.
Moyes advances a clear target
Everton’s board and Moyes have reportedly discussed a concerted push to recruit Spence as part of the club’s summer rebuild. Sources close to the club say Moyes prioritises a natural right-back, preferring an out-and-out specialist rather than converting centre-backs or midfielders for the role.
The move would represent a decisive attempt to fix a problem that has hampered Everton’s season-to-season stability, with the manager expected to lead contract and recruitment talks to ensure the position is strengthened. Any agreement would need to satisfy Tottenham’s valuation and the player’s personal terms.
Chronic right-back gaps at Everton
Everton’s search for a reliable right-back has stretched across multiple seasons, highlighted by recurring fitness issues and departures among senior players. Seamus Coleman left at the end of his contract, while Nathan Patterson has entered the final year of his deal, leaving the club without long-term certainty on the flank.
In response, Moyes has often been forced to deploy makeshift solutions, shifting Jake O’Brien into right-back duties despite his central-defender background and calling on James Garner for occasional cover. That tactical improvisation has delivered mixed results and intensified the imperative for a specialist signing ahead of next season.
Spurs’ squad dynamics and Spence’s standing
Tottenham currently list Pedro Porro and Djed Spence among their specialist right-back options, with academy talent able to provide additional cover when required. With Spence under contract until 2029, Spurs are not under pressure to sell and retain negotiating leverage if a concrete offer arrives.
That contractual security, combined with the club’s broader squad planning, means Spurs are likely to weigh any approach carefully rather than rush a departure for the 25-year-old. Departures from North London would therefore depend on Spurs’ transfer strategy, the fee on offer and assurances over how squad depth would be maintained.
Player profile: attributes Everton would acquire
Djed Spence is recognised for his pace, athleticism and willingness to carry the ball forward, qualities that suit a full-back tasked with both defensive duties and attacking width. He also offers positional flexibility, having operated on both flanks and in more advanced wing-back roles when required by his managers.
Defensively his game has matured since breaking through, showing improved concentration and stronger tackling in top-flight appearances, while his comfort on the ball supports teams that build from the back. For Everton, those traits would align with a need for a reliable, forward-driving right-back capable of supporting midfield transitions and covering defensive channels.
Valuation and contractual context
Transfermarkt and other market evaluators have placed Spence’s value in the region of £26 million, a figure which Tottenham are likely to use as a benchmark in any negotiation. With a contract running until 2029, Spurs are in a position to demand a significant fee rather than accept a cut-price exit.
For Everton, the fee would need to be balanced against the club’s budget constraints and recruitment priorities, meaning negotiations could involve structured payments or performance-related add-ons to bridge the valuation gap. Any approach will also consider the player’s wage demands and whether a sale would create room in Tottenham’s squad for replacements.
Timing, international duty and next steps
Spence’s international commitments and recent selection for England at a major tournament add a timing element to any transfer process, with clubs typically waiting until players return from national duty before finalising deals. Everton’s hierarchy are expected to monitor Spence’s situation closely and may lodge a formal offer once discussions with Tottenham and the player’s representatives are possible in earnest.
The window will also be shaped by Tottenham’s transfer plans, including incoming recruits or internal promotions that could influence their willingness to sell. For Everton, the priority is clear: secure a specialist right-back who can immediately compete for and likely start the position while providing longer-term stability.
Questions Everton must answer internally
Beyond the headline pursuit, Everton must determine where a signing like Spence fits within a wider recruitment strategy aimed at strengthening multiple positions. The club will need to assess whether investing in a single high-profile right-back is the best use of funds or whether resources should be spread to address midfield creativity and defensive reinforcements too.
Board-level decisions about squad balance, wage structure and transfer financing will shape the feasibility of any bid, and supporters will expect transparency about how the club plans to close the gap between ambition and available resources. Moyes’ influence in recruitment decisions will be pivotal in aligning sporting needs with financial reality.
If negotiations progress, medical and personal terms will follow and could become public before a formal announcement. Everton will also be mindful of agent involvement and any competing suitors who might drive the price up or complicate talks.
Djed Spence’s potential move to Everton represents a clear tactical solution for a club that has repeatedly been stung by instability on the right-hand side. While Tottenham’s contractual position and valuation give them leverage, Everton’s urgency and Moyes’ conviction could yet yield a summer approach that reshapes the Toffees’ defensive profile.
