David Moyes had been hunting for a right-back upgrade long before Seamus Coleman announced his retirement. In late January, the Everton manager told TEAMtalk: "We've been actively looking for a right-back for over a year." Within weeks, Coleman's decision to call time on his 17-year career turned a persistent gap into an immediate crisis. Everton needed answers at right-back, and Moyes has already identified his primary target: Raoul Bellanova, the 26-year-old wing-back from Atalanta.

Bellanova was born May 17, 2000 in Rho, nine miles northwest of Milan, placing him at his physical peak. Atalanta paid €25 million for him on August 22, 2024—less than two years before Everton's interest emerged. His contract runs until 2029, a significant negotiating barrier. But what has drawn Moyes' attention is not just availability or proximity; it is Bellanova's attacking profile. He is classified as a "playmaker back"—a technically gifted full-back who distributes from deep rather than pursuing conventional wing-back runs. In a squad that has finished 12th with 49 points and a goal difference of -2, that technical sophistication is precisely what Moyes is seeking.

Why Bellanova is Moyes' top target

The numbers reveal why Everton has zeroed in on Bellanova. He executes 0.98 successful dribbles per 90 minutes in Serie A—second only to Manchester United's Amad Diallo—a rare skill for a full-back that allows him to break lines from the backline and relieve defensive pressure through individual quality. At 35.62km/h, his top speed ranks second among right-backs across Europe, matched only by Wolverhampton's Jackson Tchatchoua. Raw pace is a critical asset in the Premier League's transitional tempo.

But Bellanova's value extends beyond athleticism. He averages 4.97 crosses per 90 minutes—outpacing Tottenham's Pedro Porro—and his 1.52 successful crosses per 90 place him second only to Porro. He is one of Europe's elite set-piece creators from full-back, a metric that suggests he can thrive in a possession-based system. His defensive action success rate sits at 73%, matching Liverpool's Curtis Jones, dispelling any notion of one-dimensional attacking play. With only 6.48 ball losses per 90 minutes, Bellanova ranks among Serie A's most reliable ball carriers, behind only Brighton's Joel Veltman and Fulham's Timothy Castagne.

He holds six Italy international caps and has made 79 appearances over the past two seasons for Atalanta, scoring once. This is the profile Moyes craves: a technically complete full-back who can both defend and dictate from deep, a rarity in the modern game.

Contract and cost: the real obstacle

The Bellanova pursuit faces a structural problem. His contract with Atalanta extends until 2029, giving the Italian club significant leverage and little urgency to negotiate. Atalanta paid €25 million for him just 22 months ago, meaning any Everton bid will face stiff resistance. The £21 million figure circulating in reports is a derived estimate; the actual fee will depend on how aggressively Moyes is willing to push and whether Atalanta's leadership views him as a core piece or a potential sale.

This contract structure is not incidental—it is central to why the deal has not yet moved beyond interest and consideration. Everton have expressed interest in Bellanova, but no agreement has been reached. If Atalanta view him as untransferable or demand a figure beyond Everton's budget, the pursuit may stall entirely.

Plan B: Everton's five-name shortlist

Bellanova is not Everton's only option. TEAMtalk has confirmed five alternative targets, each serving as a contingency should Atalanta negotiations fail or exceed budget constraints.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka tops the secondary list. Following West Ham's Premier League relegation, Wan-Bissaka is valued at approximately £15 million—roughly two-thirds the Bellanova estimate—making him a financially attractive fallback. His Premier League experience is a bonus in a league that demands pace and positional discipline.

Guéla Doué, the 23-year-old Strasbourg right-back and elder brother of PSG star Desire Doue, ranks among Ligue 1's best attacking full-backs. His profile—young, attacking-minded, and operating in a top-five league—aligns with Moyes' search for both immediate impact and potential resale value.

Arsenal's Ben White remains a long-standing target, though his injury record complicates the calculus. Sevilla's Juanlu Sánchez has featured on Everton's radar for months. Rounding out the list is Georgios Vagiannidis, whose profile suggests a younger, development-focused option.

Nathan Patterson, the 23-year-old Rangers loanee, has been marginalised under Moyes this season with just seven Premier League appearances—three starts. His departure is likely conditional on Everton securing at least one of these five alternatives.

The Pellegrino pursuit: striker ambitions amid competition

As Moyes fortifies the defence, he is also tracking Parma's breakout striker Mateo Pellegrino. The 24-year-old Argentine has scored 33 goals in 144 career appearances. This season, his breakthrough campaign, he netted nine league goals and 12 across all competitions—a 12-goal tally that more than doubles any prior annual total. Most memorably, he scored the crucial match-winning goal against Sassuolo on the final day, a moment that crystallised his emergence as a genuine Serie A threat.

But the Pellegrino pursuit faces its own hurdles. Parma CEO Federico Cherubini told CaughtOffside: "We know there are many interests, but we are in no hurry." That calm posture signals Parma's reluctance to rush his sale despite intense Premier League interest, a stance likely to drive up the fee. Pellegrino's valuation stands at €30 million, a significant outlay, and Parma retains only 50% of any sale revenue—the other half owed to Vélez Sarsfield via a sell-on clause. Newcastle and Brentford are also circling, meaning Everton faces a multi-way auction for a player still developing at the highest level.

What comes next

Moyes' summer window will hinge on navigating these two pursuits: Bellanova as the premium right-back rebuild and Pellegrino as the attacking addition. Both require negotiating past resistance, lengthy contracts, or complex valuations. If Everton moves swiftly and decisively on either front, the club could reshape its tactical identity. If the negotiations stretch into late summer or stall entirely, the mid-table drift may continue into the next campaign.

FAQ

Will Raoul Bellanova join Everton this summer?

Everton have expressed interest and consider him a primary target, but no deal has been reached. Atalanta's contract extends to 2029 and they face no pressure to sell. The £21 million estimate is derived; Atalanta's actual asking price will likely exceed it, and their willingness to negotiate remains uncertain.

Why does Everton need to replace Seamus Coleman at right-back?

Coleman retired after 17 years. Manager David Moyes confirmed the club had been "actively looking for a right-back for over a year." Everton finished 12th with 49 points, and Moyes is targeting technical full-backs who can distribute and create from deep—a skill set Coleman represented but which the club needs to evolve.

What makes Raoul Bellanova an elite right-back option?

Bellanova executes 0.98 successful dribbles per 90 minutes (second only to Amad Diallo) and averages 4.97 crosses per 90, outpacing Tottenham's Pedro Porro. At 35.62km/h, he ranks second among Europe's fastest right-backs. His 73% defensive action success rate and 6.48 ball losses per 90 show he is technically complete, not just an attacker.

Who else is Everton considering at right-back besides Bellanova?

Everton maintains a five-name shortlist: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (valued £15m after West Ham's relegation), Guéla Doué (Strasbourg), Arsenal's Ben White, Sevilla's Juanlu Sánchez, and Georgios Vagiannidis. Nathan Patterson, the Rangers loanee, will likely depart once Everton secures one of these alternatives.

Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →