Alan Hutton has backed Everton to sign current loanee Conor Coady on a permanent deal at the end of the season.
The Lowdown: Coady joins Everton on loan
Despite the arrival of James Tarkowski on a free transfer, the Toffees dipped back into the transfer market in search of another centre-back after injuries to Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina.
With the 29-year-old in and out of the Wolves team, the Blues secured the season-long loan signing of former Molineux captain Coady. The England international arrived at Goodison Park with the option for the club to sign him permanently in 2023 upon the end of the Premier League campaign.
The Latest: Hutton’s claim
Hutton, who often works as a pundit for Sky Sports, has backed Everton owner Farhad Moshiri to enact the club's purchase option and make Coady’s move to Merseyside permanent next year, with the Scot estimating that £20m could be sufficient to persuade Wolves to sell.
Speaking with Football Insider, the former Tottenham defender claimed: “It is an area where Everton had to be better. They had to be more solid, and Conor Coady is a leader.
“I was surprised Wolves let him go out on loan. I know he was in and out of the side, but you miss someone of that experience. He is an England international.
“Everton were crying out for somebody like that. He is a solid defender and more importantly is a very good organiser. He makes the players around him better.
“It improves Everton overall. It was brilliant to get him through the door.
“I think Wolves would want around £20million if they were to sell him permanently. It is very difficult to put a number on it though. He brings a lot to the team so I would say he is well worth £20million.
“I think Everton would pay that no problem. He is 29 but he does not rely on blistering pace. He is an intelligent player, so he knows where to be on the pitch. Age is not a problem.”
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The Verdict: Well worth paying
The defender played every single match of the Premier League for Wolves season and captained the team throughout.
That is a sure sign of his impressive leadership qualities, a trait for which Coady has been lauded in the past.
As per WhoScored, the England international averaged an impressive 3.7 clearances per game and an 89.7% pass success rate in the top flight last season, marking him out as a no-nonsense defender who can also help to build his team's play from the back.
Therefore, if Hutton's estimate of £20m proves accurate in terms of a fee that Wolves would accept, this seems like a sensible and reliable move to make for Everton, who have one of the lowest concession rates in the Premier League this season ever since Coady's move to Goodison Park.