Everton in loan talks over right-back who played in Premier League last season

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Everton will be hoping to make some key additions in the transfer market before the window shuts at 11pm on Friday.

The Toffees have endured a difficult summer on the transfer front, losing a number of key players, and have also lost their opening two Premier League games.

Everton could do with a new right-back, as that position has proven somewhat problematic early on this season.

The Blues currently have veterans Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young, plus Nathan Patterson, in that position.

However, Coleman is 35 while Young is 39, so a long-term solution is needed, while Patterson has struggled with his fitness.

Now, according to French football journalist Fabrice Hawkins, Everton are on the case as they look to sign a new right-back.

Everton in talks over Rennes ace Lorenz Assignon

Hawkins, writing on X, has reported that Everton are one of two clubs currently in talks with Rennes over Lorenz Assignon.

The Toffees are up against Marseille in pursuit of the 24-year-old defender, who was on loan at Burnley in the second half of last season.

Both Everton and Marseille are looking to land Assignon on a season-long loan deal with option to buy, added Hawkins.

Who is Everton target Lorenz Assignon?

Assignon is a professional footballer who plies his trade at Rennes as a right-back, though he can also play as a right winger.

He came through the ranks at Rennes, having joined the club as a youngster in 2015, and has made 66 competitive appearances for the club.

Assignon enjoyed a successful loan spell at Burnley last season, though he couldn’t help them stay up in the Premier League.

Earlier this summer, it was reported that the Clarets wanted to sign Assignon permanently and looked to activate the £8million clause in his loan.

However, despite tabling a ‘fantastic offer’ to the Frenchman, he was not interested in following Burnley to the Championship.

READ MORE: John Textor could now seal £40m worth of Everton signings before he has even taken over

What could Assignon bring to Everton?

Earlier this year, Get French Football News wrote a scouting report on Assignon.

‘His talent is plainly obvious when you watch him push high up the pitch with this intense attacking approach,’ they wrote.

‘His markers cling by his side in fear that they might lose him when his sudden turn of pace opens up the pitch.

‘There is also a willingness to become an active part of Rennes’ progressions with his technical brilliance on the ball fundamental in helping the team develop tight passing triangles.

‘However, there are downsides to his game, as he can look uncomfortable when asked to perform the less glamorous parts of his defensive role.

‘His positioning can often leave the team exposed on the counter-attack, and his struggles with defending one-on-one means that he sometimes can provide limited protection.

‘These issues should do little to dampen the high expectations that surround the full-back.

‘For a player still growing and developing an increased role in the team will likely provide him with extra experience to address these problems.’