Manchester United have been linked with a surprise deadline day move for Everton right-back Seamus Coleman, as per reports.
Manchester Evening News have reported that Seamus Coleman could move to Manchester United before the transfer window slams shut, after odds on the Everton right-back completing a move to Old Trafford before Tuesday’s deadline were slashed by bookmakers.
Seamus Coleman has blossomed into one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League ever since his move to Goodison Park in 2009, when he joined Everton as a prodigious 20-year-old from Sligo Rovers.
In more than eight years since, Coleman has established himself as a defensive mainstay for the Toffees, and has been a key figure in the first team plans of David Moyes, Roberto Martinez as well as Ronald Koeman.
Known for his marauding runs up the field, Coleman has been a solid defender for Everton over the years while being a dangerous proponent for the opposition defences with his deadly eye for goal. That shows in the numbers as well, as the Ireland international has bagged 24 goals and 21 assists in 240 appearances for Everton.
After a somewhat underwhelming 2015/16 season, when Everton often flattered to deceive under Martinez, Coleman has rediscovered his best form in the current campaign, with his steady defending while scoring four times and assisting another goal in 19 Premier League matches.
Coleman’s impressive performances for Everton have often seen him being linked with a move to several clubs over the years, with Manchester United being the most heavily linked club in recent seasons.
With Tuesday’s deadline fast approaching, the bookmakers have placed Coleman as a 1/3 favourite to join Manchester United, which was also the shortest odds of any player moving on Monday.
Antonio Valencia is the first choice right-back at Manchester United currently, and with the Ecuadorian making the fullback role his own this season, it looks highly unlikely that Coleman would be able to displace him at Old Trafford anytime soon.
With that in mind, the Irishman might be unwilling to make a move away from Everton in January, as he is well established in defence in Koeman’s side. The Everton manager would also be against selling Coleman as finding a replacement at the 11th hour would be improbable.
Indeed, Coleman himself has admitted that he won’t be moving anywhere in January, and is instead concentrating on the match at Stoke City on Wednesday.
Jose Mourinho has also previously iterated that he is unlikely to make any defensive additions to his squad in the winter transfer window and Coleman’s comments should put the Manchester United rumours to bed.