Everton dream backline as Jarrad Branthwaite stays, Kieran Tripper signs and left-back joins

Everton are keen on signing Kieran Trippier from Newcastle before the end of the summer transfer window. The 33-year-old wants to leave the Magpies after two-and-a-half years at St James' Park. He was an unused substitute during their opening weekend 1-0 win over Southampton and wishes to explore fresh opportunities that will provide regular first-team football.

Sean Dyche is hopeful of adding a new right-back to his squad this month and the Toffees have held initial conversations with Newcastle to express interest in bringing him to Merseyside on loan. Dyche and Trippier worked together while at Burnley between 2012 and 2015. There has also been talk over Trippier moving to the Saudi Pro League but an agreement is yet to materialise.

His impact at Newcastle has been phenomenal since becoming their first signing of the Saudi Arabia ownership era back in January 2022, guiding the club to Premier League survival before helping steer them back into the Champions League. Last season, Trippier scored once and provided 11 assists in 39 appearances but has started this season behind Tino Livramento, who played in his position last weekend.

If Everton manage to land Trippier, it will no doubt be a terrific addition, despite his age. With Trippier turning 34 next month, there has been some concern about the fact the Toffees do not need another elder statesmen in that area alongside Ashley Young (39), Seamus Coleman (35), but the England international showed at Euro 2024 that he is still very much competent and excellent at the very highest level.

Even before Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Brighton, it's clear that the right-back position was among Everton's weakest areas and something that opposing teams could exploit. Nathan Patterson (22) is the other first-team player in that position but - like Coleman - is currently out injured, which left Young as the only realistic option. And it's safe to say Young didn't look comfortable against the Seagulls, leading to his straight red card.

Trippier would add steel, energy and quality to the Everton side, and if they can get him on loan, it would be a no-brainer. As well as being steady defensively, Trippier has an excellent delivery from set pieces and crosses that could make him successful at the Toffees. Should he sign, Trippier is no doubt going to be the first-choice right-back with Young, Coleman and Patterson behind him.

As for the other areas in defence, Vitalii Mykolenko started at left-back in the defeat against Brighton and is someone that is set to keep his position for the season ahead. Although Young and Trippier can play there, it doesn't feel like he has much cover in case he gets injured or suspended, so signing a proven left sided defender as back-up would not be the worst idea. Someone like Junior Firpo at Leeds would not be a bad option.

Moving to central defence and it does have the impression that if Everton are to be successful this season, Jarrad Branthwaite has to stay at the club beyond the end of the transfer window. The 21-year-old, who impressed under Dyche last season, has been linked with a move away from Goodison Park. Everton must try and keep Branthwaite, despite the tempting offers that could come in, after Manchester United saw a £45m plus add-ons bid rejected last month. The ex-PSV defender's presence was missed against Brighton.

If Everton manage to keep Branthwaite, they would have him, new signing Jake O'Brien, Michael Keane, James Tarkowski and Mason Holgate as the centre-back options. For me, I would try and offload either Keane or Holgate to free up squad space and wages. Otherwise, that does feel like a 'dream' centre-back department for Dyche to work with. Adding the addition of Kieran Trippier to the full-back area, Everton would have a strong back-line for the campaign and there is no reason why they cannot replicate similar figures to last season.

Everton posted the fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League last term, having conceded just 51 goals in 38 matches. In fact, only Arsenal (18) kept more clean sheets in the top flight than the Toffees last season with 13. Although the opening day fixture against Brighton didn't go to plan, Dyche should be pleased with his defensive options if they can keep Branthwaite, sign Trippier, sign a back-up left-back and offload one of Keane or Holgate.