Everton intensify pursuit of Nahuel Molina as Atletico consider summer sale
Everton target Nahuel Molina as a prime right-back option this summer, with the club monitoring the Atletico Madrid defender amid contract uncertainty and interest from Serie A sides.
Everton have stepped up interest in Nahuel Molina, the Argentine right-back currently at Atletico Madrid, as the Merseyside club looks to bolster its defensive options ahead of the new season. The 28-year-old’s contract situation and pedigree at both club and international level have made him a clear target for David Moyes’s side. Reporting around Europe suggests Everton are preparing to move if Atletico are willing to permit a sale this summer. The pursuit of Nahuel Molina could mark a notable recruitment push for the Toffees as they seek immediate reinforcements.
Everton step up interest in Nahuel Molina
Everton’s scouting network has highlighted Nahuel Molina as a realistic and value-driven target for the right-back position. Sources close to transfer negotiations indicate the club has been monitoring his situation at Atletico Madrid and assessing how he would fit into David Moyes’s squad. The interest aligns with Everton’s wider recruitment strategy of blending experienced internationals with younger talent to improve depth. Molina’s availability, driven by his contract timeline, has made him particularly attractive.
The Toffees view Molina as a player who could contribute immediately while also offering resale value should his contract situation create negotiating leverage. Everton’s recruitment team has reportedly compared his profile with other defensive candidates, placing emphasis on players who can both defend and contribute to swift counter-attacks. With the Premier League demanding physicality and tactical discipline from fullbacks, Molina’s mix of attributes has drawn attention. Club sources suggest discussions at director level are already underway to evaluate a summer approach.
Molina’s rise: from Boca Juniors to Atletico Madrid
Nahuel Molina’s pathway to the European stage began in Argentina, where he broke through at Boca Juniors and gained first-team exposure as a teenager. Subsequent loan spells at Defensa y Justicia and Rosario Central allowed him to develop the combinations of pace, stamina and attacking intent that define his game today. A move to Udinese in 2020 provided a platform in Serie A, where consistent performances earned him a transfer to Atletico Madrid in 2022.
Since joining Atletico, Molina has matured into a dependable fullback capable of handling the defensive rigours of high-level European competition. He has been regularly used in competitive fixtures and has showcased his willingness to press forward, while maintaining defensive discipline under a demanding manager. His international success with Argentina, including World Cup and Copa América honours, has further polished his experience in high-pressure matches. That blend of club and country experience is central to why he is now on Everton’s radar.
Contract situation increases likelihood of a summer move
Molina enters the final year of his contract at Atletico Madrid, a status that places additional pressure on the Spanish club to make a decision before the next season. With a year remaining and no confirmed extension publicly announced, Atletico face the choice of selling now to secure funds or risk losing the player on a free transfer next summer. That dynamic has accelerated interest from several clubs across Europe, including Everton, who see the window as a chance to negotiate a favorable fee.
Clubs tracking Molina are aware that Atletico’s negotiating position weakens as the contract expiry approaches, which could create an opening for a move at a lower price than otherwise expected. For Everton, the financial calculus is attractive: a player of Molina’s profile available for a fee below peak market valuations represents prudent business. The prospect of securing a starting-caliber right-back without breaking the club’s transfer model has made the case compelling for the board. Conversely, Atletico may prefer to retain the player if extension talks resume, which would force potential suitors to consider alternatives.
Serie A interest adds competition to the transfer race
Molina’s performances in Italy and Spain have not gone unnoticed in Serie A, where clubs such as AS Roma, Napoli and Atalanta are reportedly monitoring his availability. Those clubs offer stylistically diverse destinations that could appeal to the player depending on playing time, Champions League prospects and personal preferences. The presence of multiple Italian suitors ensures the transfer market for Molina will be competitive if Atletico opt to sell.
Competition from Serie A sides complicates Everton’s pursuit by presenting alternative offers that could match or exceed Everton’s proposal, either financially or in terms of sporting project. However, Everton may counter that the Premier League’s profile and the guarantee of regular first-team football under David Moyes represent persuasive selling points. The club’s recruitment pitch is likely to emphasise the immediate role available and the opportunity to become a central figure in Everton’s defensive rebuild. Ultimately, the player’s priorities—be that regular minutes, European football or a new challenge—will shape the outcome.
Tactical fit: how Molina would slot into David Moyes’s side
Nahuel Molina offers attributes that align with common requirements for right-backs in the Premier League, namely physicality, speed and an ability to contribute offensively without sacrificing defensive responsibilities. Moyes has frequently sought fullbacks who can provide width on transitions while tracking opposing wingers, and Molina’s game includes overlapping runs, accurate delivery and the work-rate to recover defensively. The balance between attack and defence in his profile would give Everton both a reliable defensive baseline and a weapon on the break.
Tactically, Everton could deploy Molina in a system that presses higher up the pitch and relies on quick vertical transitions, where his direct running and crossing can create chances. Defensively, he has experience in systems requiring positional discipline and strong one-on-one defending, traits that would be valuable against top-flight attackers. His international exposure for Argentina also suggests an ability to adapt to different tactical demands and high-stakes fixtures. For Moyes, the decision will weigh immediate team needs against longer-term squad planning.
Financial considerations and potential transfer fee
Financially, Molina represents a market-efficient option for clubs operating within constrained budgets, with public valuations placing him at a modest fee relative to other fullbacks of similar profile. Reports have suggested an estimated valuation in the low tens of millions, a figure that could be negotiable given Atletico’s contract considerations. For Everton, balancing transfer fees with wage structures is crucial, and Molina’s expected cost aligns with a pragmatic recruitment approach.
Atletico’s stance will ultimately determine the fee, and they may choose to demand a figure that reflects Molina’s experience and international pedigree. Alternatively, the club could accept a lower offer to avoid losing the player for free next year, creating leverage for buyers. Everton will need to present a clear proposal that addresses both the transfer fee and personal terms to stand out from rival suitors. The club’s financial flexibility and willingness to move quickly will be decisive in the coming weeks.
What a Molina signing would mean for Everton’s season
Adding Nahuel Molina to the squad would provide Everton with a seasoned option at right-back capable of starting immediately and adding attacking potency from deep positions. His arrival could allow Moyes to rotate more effectively and protect against form dips or injuries in a demanding fixture calendar. Beyond the pitch, securing a player with major international honours would signal Everton’s intent in the transfer market and may boost morale around the squad and fanbase.
However, any transfer must be judged against squad balance and long-term planning; integrating a new first-choice fullback requires time for tactical adjustment and chemistry-building. Everton will need to manage expectations around early adaptation while ensuring the rest of the squad complements Molina’s style. If completed, the move would reflect a pragmatic, experience-driven recruitment that prioritises immediate impact and squad stability.
A move for Nahuel Molina remains conditional on Atletico’s willingness to negotiate and the player’s preference among suitors, but Everton’s interest is now clear and the club is preparing to make a considered approach should an opportunity arise.
