Everton weigh Alistair Johnston move as Celtic set £20m asking price

Everton are reportedly considering a £20 million move for Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston, but a fresh injury concern could complicate David Moyes' decision over his next defensive signing.

The Toffees are looking to strengthen at right-back and have also been linked with Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz, who is valued at a similar price. That leaves Moyes with a potentially significant choice as Everton look to complete more business before the transfer window closes.

According to transfer journalist Alan Nixon, Celtic value Johnston at around £20m, with Everton considering whether to make their move.

However, the Canadian is not their only option.

Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz is also reportedly available for around £20m, with Nixon claiming the financial side of a potential deal would not be a major problem.

That means Moyes' decision could ultimately come down to which player better suits his system, rather than a significant difference in transfer cost.

Munoz has established himself as an attacking wing-back, while Johnston would offer Everton another experienced option after returning to form following an injury-disrupted 2025/26 campaign.

There is now additional uncertainty surrounding Johnston after he was substituted at half-time during Celtic's victory over Kilmarnock.

The initial hope was that his withdrawal had been precautionary, but reports in Scotland suggest the injury could be more significant than first thought.

Johnston is now considered a doubt for Celtic's upcoming Champions League play-off against LASK.

That will be particularly concerning given the defender's injury history. The 27-year-old missed a significant portion of last season with a serious hamstring problem before returning for the closing stages of Celtic's title-winning campaign.

Celtic's Champions League commitments already give the Scottish champions an incentive to retain Johnston, and his latest fitness problem adds another complication to any potential transfer.

Everton must now determine whether to push ahead with their interest or prioritise Munoz instead.

With both players reportedly valued at around £20m, sporting suitability could be the deciding factor for Moyes. Johnston's injury situation, however, may need to become clearer before Everton are prepared to make a significant investment.

Everton are expected to assess Johnston's injury before deciding whether to advance their interest. Moyes must also make a call on Munoz, with both deals reportedly available at around the same price. If Johnston faces another spell on the sidelines, Everton could decide the Crystal Palace defender represents the safer option before the transfer deadline.

Would you rather see Everton spend £20m on Alistair Johnston or Daniel Munoz?