Everton submit £17m Raoul Bellanova bid amid right-back search

Everton have made their move for Raoul Bellanova, submitting a formal offer worth £17 million plus add-ons for the Atalanta right-back.

FootballPlace reported in June 2026 that Everton were leading the race for the 26-year-old, and the club have now taken the next step as David Moyes looks to solve a position that has remained problematic for too long.

According to Italian journalist Luca Cerchione, Everton are trying to move ahead of Real Sociedad by putting a concrete proposal on the table. Atalanta are already looking at possible replacements, with Nottingham Forest’s Nicolò Savona reportedly among their options if Bellanova leaves.

The bid does not mean an agreement has been reached, but it makes Everton’s interest considerably more advanced than another name simply being added to their summer shortlist.

Everton’s need for a natural right-back has become increasingly difficult to ignore.

Jake O’Brien has deputised in the position since returning to the club and has provided a physical, defensively committed option, but there have been occasions when the centre-back has looked uncomfortable away from his natural role.

The wider picture has added urgency. Seamus Coleman has gone, while Nathan Patterson’s future remains unresolved. Moyes therefore needs a more permanent answer rather than another season built around makeshift solutions.

Bellanova would change the profile of the position.

The Italy international is naturally suited to operating on the right and offers more attacking involvement than Everton have generally received from that area of the pitch. Last season, he averaged almost twice as many key passes per game as O’Brien managed when used at right-back.

His contribution is not limited to possession. A 67 per cent success rate in ground duels also points to a player capable of competing defensively rather than functioning purely as an attacking outlet.

That balance helps explain why Everton have moved from interest to a formal offer.

Atalanta’s reported interest in Savona is another development worth watching.

A club identifying a possible replacement does not guarantee that a sale is close, but it can make negotiations easier if the buying side reaches an acceptable price. Everton will hope their £17m proposal, combined with add-ons, is enough to bring the Italian club towards an agreement.

Real Sociedad remain part of the race, which gives Everton another reason to move decisively.

The Merseyside club were already described as leading the pursuit in June. By submitting a formal bid, they have now attempted to turn that advantage into something concrete before their competition can respond.

However, there is no confirmation yet that Atalanta have accepted the offer. The structure and value of the add-ons may prove important, as could Bellanova’s own preference if more than one club reaches an agreement with his current employers.

Everton have been credited with interest in several right-backs this summer, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Rico Lewis.

Bellanova now appears to be the most advanced of those possibilities.

There is an important difference between monitoring a player and submitting a formal proposal. Everton have put money on the table for the Atalanta defender, suggesting Moyes and the club’s recruitment team see a genuine opportunity to complete the deal.

That does not necessarily mean the other options have been abandoned. Transfer plans can change quickly, particularly if Atalanta reject the opening offer or another club moves more aggressively.

For now, though, Bellanova is the player Everton are actively trying to sign.

Based on the right-back situation we have followed at FootballPlace this summer, the move also addresses a clear squad need rather than adding depth to an already settled position. Everton have spent too long adapting players to the role. Signing a specialist with Bellanova’s attacking output would allow Moyes to approach the position differently.

Much still depends on Atalanta’s response, but the formal bid has moved this story into a more significant stage.

Everton will now wait for Atalanta’s response to their £17m bid and the proposed add-ons. If the Italian club are prepared to negotiate, the focus can move towards closing the remaining gap and reaching an agreement with Bellanova.

Real Sociedad’s interest means Everton cannot assume they have a clear run at the defender, but submitting the first reported formal offer has put them in a strong position. Atalanta’s search for a potential replacement could also become significant if talks progress over the coming days.

Would Raoul Bellanova finally solve Everton’s long-running problem at right-back?