Frank Lampard is a ‘big fan’ of Kyle Walker-Peters and is driving interest from Everton in a potential summer transfer to Goodison Park for the Southampton star, the Mirror report.
The Blues boss is eager to add to the Toffees’ defensive and attacking options over the off-season after avoiding relegation. But Lampard is waiting on word from the Premier League that Everton are clear of Financial Fair Play concerns before moving to sign Walker-Peters.
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Lampard has identified the 20-year-old as a possible target who can rival Vitaliy Mykolenko as Everton’s left-back next term. Walker-Peters has regularly caught the eye since moving to St Mary’s from Tottenham Hotspur for £12m, plus add-ons, in 2020 after an initial loan.
The England international can also offer extra cover at right-back after the Toffees’ £12m, rising to £16m, deal with Rangers for Nathan Patterson in January. Lampard is still to see the best of the Scotland gem having needed season-ending ankle surgery after one game.
It is Walker-Peters’ versatility that makes the Southampton talent an attractive target for Lampard, with Everton interested in his transfer. The two-cap 25-year-old made 20 of his 32 Premier League appearances last season from left-back, plus four as a wide midfielder.
Everton are interested in Walker-Peters with Southampton chasing modest profit
Southampton are only demanding a modest profit to sell Walker-Peters amid interest from Everton this summer. Alan Nixon also cites the Toffees’ admiration of the London-born ace and reports the Saints value him at £10-15m after the emergence of Valentino Livramento.
St Mary’s boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has often praised Walker-Peters for what he has given his side since leaving Tottenham. But Livramento’s breakthrough after joining from Chelsea in August for £5m saw Walker-Peters shifted over to the left from his natural right-back role.
“He is definitely an argument for young players coming here and making their way into the national team,” Hasenhuttl said after Walker-Peters’ England bow in March, via BBC Sport.
“It’s amazing what he has done and shows that it’s not a disadvantage if you are flexible in your position. I tell my players to be open-minded and do their best in whatever position they can. When he was playing for England, he showed some of the skills that we want.”
Walker-Peters is under contract with Southampton through to 2025 on the £23k-a-week deal penned upon arriving from Tottenham in 2020. His time on the south coast, including the initial half-season loan, has so far featured 82 games with two goals and seven assists.
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