Everton are stepping up their efforts to land Crystal Palace right-back Daniel Munoz before the transfer window shuts, with David Moyes eager to bolster his defensive ranks ahead of the new season.
The Colombian international has become a genuine target for the Toffees as Moyes hunts for a recognised right-back option. Everton have reportedly shown real interest in the 30-year-old, though prising him away from Selhurst Park won’t be easy.
Munoz’s long-term future at Palace looks uncertain, with the full-back said to be weighing up multiple paths forward. Palace, for their part, won’t let him go without a fight, especially coming off another strong season from one of their most reliable performers.
Everton’s lack of a natural right-back has been obvious throughout pre-season. Jake O’Brien and Merlin Röhl have both covered the role, but neither is a genuine fit there long-term. Their flexibility has helped in the short term, but Moyes reportedly wants a settled, established option before a ball is kicked in anger.
Munoz ticks that box. He blends defensive solidity and know-how with a genuine attacking threat, and could add real quality and drive down Everton’s right side.
The Toffees had also been eyeing Celtic’s Alistair Johnston earlier in the window, but the Canadian’s injury setback seems to have derailed that route, pushing Moyes to look elsewhere. That shift could move Munoz further up Everton’s wishlist — and if they’re serious about bringing him to Hill Dickinson Stadium, they’ll need to move fast before rivals get there first.
DSports reporter Mauricio Gonzalez Arteaga has pegged Munoz’s price tag at around £30 million. That’s a hefty outlay for Everton, but one they may see as a worthwhile investment given the instant upgrade he’d bring.
Everton aren’t alone in the race, though. Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are also said to be keeping tabs on the defender, setting the stage for a potential three-way scrap. With that level of interest circling, Palace hold the cards and have no incentive to sell cheap.
Forest could prove especially tricky opposition, with Oliver Glasner reportedly keen on a reunion. Glasner managed Munoz during their time together at Palace and knows exactly what he’d be adding to his side. The Colombian’s defensive discipline would suit Forest’s setup neatly, while his forward running would give them another attacking outlet from full-back.
For Everton, the appeal goes beyond just plugging a defensive gap. The Toffees have often lacked spark and end product from their full-back positions, and Munoz’s numbers suggest he could change that — four goals, three assists, and eight big chances created in 29 Premier League games last season, per Sofascore. That’s a player contributing at both ends, not just holding the fort defensively.
That attacking upside is exactly what Moyes’ side could use out wide — someone capable of delivering quality balls into the box, making forward runs and chipping in with goals. Jake O’Brien and Vitalii Mykolenko offer solidity, but Munoz would bring a different dimension: physical, defensively aware, yet always looking to get forward.
At 30, he’d also arrive with plenty of Premier League nous already banked, and his familiarity with English football means minimal settling-in time.
With the deadline closing in, Everton face a decision that can’t be delayed much longer. If Moyes sees Munoz as the answer to his right-back puzzle, the Toffees will need to act with real urgency to beat Spurs, Forest, or anyone else circling.
Palace’s reported £30 million valuation puts them in a strong spot, especially with interest coming from multiple directions. How this plays out for Everton may come down to whether they’re willing to meet that price — and whether they can convince Munoz that Merseyside is the right next step.
For Moyes, landing the Colombian would be a significant statement signing as he shapes his squad for the campaign ahead. With competition heating up and time running short, Everton can’t afford to sit on their hands if Munoz remains the priority target.
