Everton Preparing Offer For Alistair Johnston As Celtic Braced For £10m Bid

Everton are preparing a substantial bid for Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston as the Merseyside club seeks defensive reinforcements ahead of the upcoming transfer window. The Toffees face an urgent need to strengthen their backline following Seamus Coleman's departure after 12 seasons as club captain, during which the Irish defender made over 350 appearances for the club. With Nathan Patterson's future uncertain and potentially set to leave permanently, manager Sean Dyche has identified Johnston as a priority target to restore stability to Everton's right-back position.

Johnston has established himself as a key player in Celtic's defensive setup since joining from Canadian side CF Montreal in 2022. The 24-year-old Canadian international has made over 80 appearances for the Scottish champions and played a crucial role in their recent domestic success, including helping Celtic maintain a strong defensive record in the Scottish Premiership. His performances have attracted attention from multiple Premier League clubs, with Everton reportedly preparing an initial offer around the £10 million mark. Johnston's versatility and attacking contributions from the flank have made him an increasingly valuable commodity in modern football.

Celtic are braced for Everton's formal approach and understand the commercial and competitive appeal of a potential move to English football. The Celtic Park outfit will likely demand a premium for their prized defender, potentially pushing negotiations toward the upper end of their valuation. Should Johnston complete a transfer to Goodison Park, it would represent significant investment in Everton's defensive rebuilding efforts. The 2024-25 Premier League campaign presents an opportunity for the Merseyside club to stabilize their position, having finished 15th in the previous season with 40 points accumulated across 38 matches.