Everton are closing in on a deadline day move for Lyon’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The 29-year-old is expected on Merseyside for a medical on Tuesday, potentially bringing to an end the club’s long search for a new right-back.

Everton had also been working in parallel on a deal for Kenny Tete, who was left out of the Fulham squad for Sunday’s defeat to Sunderland ahead of a potential move, but are now prioritising Maitland-Niles ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

The Merseyside club have been in the market for a new right-back this summer, with club captain Seamus Coleman having called time on his 17-year stint at Everton at the end of last season. The Athletic reported earlier on Tuesday that Scotland international Nathan Patterson is also closing in on a permanent move to Italian side Torino.

Former Arsenal player Maitland-Niles had one year to run on his Lyon deal and has been the subject of long-standing interest from Everton. He has five England caps, the last of which came in November 2020, and is also capable of playing as a central midfielder.

Everton’s long right-back search reaches conclusion

“All I want to do is go where I’m wanted & where I’m going to play,” wrote Maitland-Niles in August 2021 as he attempted to force a move from Arsenal to Everton.

The idea at the time was for the Merseyside club to strengthen their stocks at full-back and begin to plan for life without long-serving club captain Coleman. So there is a certain irony that we are here, five years on, with Maitland-Niles finally primed to get his move to Merseyside, in effect as Coleman’s replacement.

Everton considered a number of other options late in the window, including Tete of Fulham, as they sought a new right-back. Maitland-Niles, a long-standing target, appealed due to his contractual situation — he had one year left in France — and versatility.

Alongside central midfield, he is also seen as an option to cover at left-back, where Everton have also been short after sanctioning the loan departure of Adam Aznou to Malaga.

Provided all goes to plan with the medical, Everton’s long search for a new right-back may be about to draw to an end.