Everton are among the clubs pushing to sign Crystal Palace right-back Daniel Munoz before the transfer window shuts, as David Moyes continues his search for defensive additions ahead of the new campaign.
The Colombian international has become a genuine target for the Toffees as Moyes looks to bolster his right-back options. Everton are said to hold strong interest in the 30-year-old, though securing his signature is unlikely to be straightforward.
Munoz is reportedly weighing up several possible paths forward regarding his future at Selhurst Park, adding uncertainty to his situation as the window nears its end. Palace, for their part, will be keen to hold onto a player who has been a key contributor following another strong season.
Everton’s need for a genuine right-back has been evident throughout pre-season, with Jake O’Brien and Merlin Röhl filling in there despite neither being a natural option. While both have stepped up in the interim, Moyes is thought to want a specialist recruit before the campaign begins.
Munoz fits that profile well, bringing experience, defensive solidity, and attacking quality that could add a new dimension down the right side for Everton.
Time pressure building for Everton
Moyes had previously looked at Celtic’s Alistair Johnston as another right-back option, but an injury to the Canadian appears to have complicated that route, pushing Munoz further up Everton’s shortlist. If the Merseyside club want to land him, moving swiftly may be essential to avoid missing out to rivals.
Journalist Mauricio Gonzalez Arteaga of DSports has valued Munoz at around £30 million — a sizeable outlay for Everton, though one they may view as justified given his potential defensive upgrade.
Everton aren’t the only ones circling, however. Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are also said to be monitoring the Palace defender, setting up a potential three-way scramble for his signature and strengthening Palace’s negotiating position.
Forest’s interest carries particular intrigue given manager Oliver Glasner’s past working relationship with Munoz at Palace, where he saw firsthand what the defender can offer. Forest’s defensively-minded setup, combined with Munoz’s attacking instincts, could make for a strong fit under Glasner.
A potential upgrade going forward
One area where Everton could stand to improve is going forward from wide areas — their full-backs have generally provided solid defensive output but limited consistent attacking threat. Munoz could change that.
The Colombian had a productive campaign at Palace, contributing four goals and three assists while creating eight big chances across 29 Premier League appearances, per Sofascore — numbers that underline his impact beyond defensive duties.
That attacking output could prove especially useful for Everton, who could use more creativity and penetration from their flanks. A right-back capable of getting forward and creating chances would give Moyes extra attacking variety, complementing the defensive steadiness already provided by O’Brien and Vitalii Mykolenko.
At 30, Munoz would also bring valuable top-flight experience to Everton’s ranks, and his existing familiarity with the Premier League should mean minimal adjustment time.
With the deadline closing in, Everton face an important call. Should Moyes settle on Munoz as his solution at right-back, the club may need to act fast to beat out Tottenham, Forest, or any other suitors.
For Palace, the reported £30 million valuation suggests they’re in no rush to sell cheaply, particularly with interest coming from multiple directions. Everton’s chances of completing the deal will likely hinge both on matching Palace’s asking price and convincing Munoz that a move to Merseyside is the right next step.
For Moyes, landing the Colombian could mark a significant boost to his squad ahead of the new season — but with rivals circling and time running short, hesitation isn’t really an option if Munoz remains his top choice.
