Nathan Patterson is reportedly set to stay at Everton as his Genoa links have fallen flat.
Everton have no plans to part ways with Nathan Patterson, after firmly rejecting interest from Genoa for the right-back. The Merseyside club have made it clear that Patterson remains part of their plans, and the player himself is equally content to stay at Goodison Park and continue fighting for regular minutes.
According to Sky Sports, despite Genoa testing Everton’s resolve in recent days, the Toffees were unmoved, with Patterson happy to focus on his role under the current setup. Encouragingly for the Scotland international, he has started three of Everton’s last five Premier League matches, a sign that his standing within the squad has improved after another injury-disrupted spell.
Patterson joined Everton from Rangers in January 2022, but his time on Merseyside has been stop-start. In four years at the club, he has made just 29 Premier League starts, with fitness issues repeatedly halting his momentum. This season alone, two separate injury setbacks have sidelined him for nine league games, limiting his ability to build sustained rhythm.
Everton’s stance is further reinforced by the fact that another right-back linked with the club, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, is also expected to remain at Genoa, reducing the need for immediate movement in that position. While the Toffees have yet to make a permanent signing during this window, they are anticipated to finalise a loan deal for Tyrique George from Chelsea before the deadline.
For Patterson, the message is clear: Everton still believe in his ability, and with a run of games finally within reach, this could be a crucial period for the 24-year-old to re-establish himself as a long-term option at right-back.
From Everton’s perspective, holding on to Nathan Patterson makes sense. At a time when squad depth is thin and the club is still navigating financial constraints, allowing a first-team defender to leave mid-season would create more problems than it solves. Patterson may not yet have nailed down the right-back spot long-term, but his recent run of starts suggests the coaching staff see value in finally giving him continuity after years of injury frustration.
There is also a strong argument that Everton have yet to truly see the best of Patterson. Injuries have robbed him of rhythm and confidence, and at 24, he is still at an age where development is possible with a sustained run of games. Selling now, especially without a clear upgrade lined up, would feel premature, particularly when his market value is unlikely to peak until he proves his durability.
For Patterson himself, staying put may actually be the smarter career move. A switch to Genoa could have offered a fresh start, but it would also come with the pressure of adapting to a new league and environment while still rebuilding fitness. Remaining at Everton gives him familiarity, trust from the coaching staff, and a clearer pathway to regular minutes, something he desperately needs to reignite his trajectory.
