Ridle Baku emerges as Everton alternative amid stalled Alistair Johnston talks
Everton have identified Ridle Baku as a potential alternative right-back if their pursuit of Alistair Johnston from Celtic stalls, sources say, as contract issues and squad needs shape their summer plans.
Ridle Baku placed on Everton shortlist
Reports indicate Ridle Baku has entered Everton’s calculations as a secondary target while the club continues to pursue Alistair Johnston as its primary right-back option.
The 28-year-old RB Leipzig defender is viewed as a realistic fallback given his experience in the Bundesliga and the right-sided defensive profile Everton are seeking.
Club insiders say Everton want to secure a specialist right-back before the Premier League season begins, and Baku has emerged on internal lists as negotiations with Celtic have proven tricky.
Contract terms at Leipzig could affect the transfer
Baku is understood to be entering the final year of his deal at RB Leipzig, but the existing contract contains an appearance-triggered extension that could automatically add a further year.
That clause complicates any summer approach because fulfilling the appearance threshold would strengthen Leipzig’s negotiating position or delay a sale until 2027.
Everton’s recruitment team is assessing whether Leipzig would be ready to sell now or prefer to keep Baku given the low fee they paid when signing him from Wolfsburg.
Tactical fit under David Moyes and squad context
Everton manager David Moyes has been searching for stability at right-back since the end of last season, when the club relied on a converted center-back to fill the position.
Jake O’Brien was frequently deployed on the right in 2025/26, and the long-serving Seamus Coleman has now left the club, leaving a clear vacancy in that area of the pitch.
Baku’s versatility—comfortable as an inverted full-back or as a more orthodox wide defender—would offer Moyes tactical flexibility depending on whether Everton prioritise defensive solidity or attacking width.
Player profile and recent trajectory
Ridle Baku moved to RB Leipzig from Wolfsburg in early 2025 for a modest fee reported at around €4.5 million, a transfer that has since produced mixed minutes under different coaches.
Under Martín Demichelis, competition at right-back has increased, and Baku may often find himself rotating with Benjamin Henrichs for starts in a side that likes to press and play out from the back.
Internationally, Baku was not included in Germany’s most recent World Cup squad, a factor that may affect perceptions of his current standing but not his club-level utility.
Alistair Johnston remains Everton’s preferred target
Despite interest in Baku, Everton continue to prioritise Alistair Johnston as their primary right-back signing this window, with the Canadian defender seen as the profile most closely aligned to the club’s immediate needs.
Johnston’s performances for Canada during their historic World Cup run elevated his standing, and Everton view his youth and recent form as major selling points in any transfer.
Negotiations between Everton and Johnston’s current club have been described as difficult, however, prompting the search for alternatives in the event a deal cannot be completed in time.
Transfer market dynamics and potential fees
Market conditions this summer suggest clubs holding players in the final year of their contracts can extract value either by selling early or risking a free exit at the end of the term.
Given Baku’s age and Bundesliga experience, Everton would likely expect to pay a fee reflective of Leipzig’s negotiating posture and any contractual extension triggers.
The club’s recruitment department must also weigh wage demands and the availability of other right-backs, balancing short-term need with long-term contract strategy.
Timing, negotiation risks and squad planning
Time is a critical variable in this pursuit; Everton need to finalise their defensive recruitment ahead of pre-season and the transfer window deadline to give Moyes working time with new arrivals.
If Leipzig opts to play Baku enough to activate the extension clause, Everton could face higher costs or a delayed negotiation window, which would push the club back toward other targets.
Conversely, a swift agreement for Johnston would render a move for Baku unnecessary, shifting resources to different positions on Moyes’s roster checklist.
What Baku would bring to Everton on and off the ball
On the ball, Baku offers competent distribution from deep positions and the stamina to join attacks, attributes that suit a team wanting its full-backs to contribute in possession.
Defensively, he combines pace and anticipation to cover wide areas, which would help Everton shore up a flank that lacked a natural right-sided specialist last season.
His Bundesliga pedigree also brings experience of high-tempo domestic competition and European exposure, factors Everton may prioritise as they seek more consistent performances.
Internal options and youth alternatives
Everton’s reliance on Jake O’Brien at right-back last season shows the club does have internal options, but those solutions are largely stopgaps and may not satisfy long-term ambitions.
Promoting from the academy or converting a left-sided player could be considered, yet recruitment insiders suggest the club prefers to add a proven specialist to avoid repeating last season’s instability.
The decision will hinge on transfer feasibility and whether Everton can secure a player who matches the physical and technical profile Moyes expects for his defensive unit.
Final transfer decisions will depend on how negotiations progress in the coming weeks and whether contractual technicalities, such as appearance-triggered extensions, are resolved in Everton’s favour.
If Johnston’s move proceeds, Everton will likely withdraw from talks over alternatives, but if that deal stalls the club appears prepared to intensify efforts for Ridle Baku to ensure they have a dedicated right-back for the season.
