Is this the summer Everton’s long search for a right-back finally comes to an end?Supporters will certainly hope so, after another season of watching a makeshift option, this time central defender Jake O’Brien, on that side of their defence.A 17-time Republic of Ireland international, O’Brien is a good player and performed admirably at times despite being used out of position, but the need for more from the right-back role is clear. Especially in attack. Manager David Moyes’ side have lacked thrust and threat from deep on both flanks. They have also struggled for balance, particularly when chasing games, and could do with more athleticism and creativity at full-back.With club captain Seamus Coleman leaving this summer at age 37 and Scotland international Nathan Patterson almost certain to follow, Everton know they need a new right-back and cannot afford to fall short of landing one again.Replacing Coleman has proven to be challenging. Everton have been looking for his long-term successor since Carlo Ancelotti’s time at the club from 2019-21, but are yet to secure a viable option. Patterson, signed from Scottish giants Rangers in January 2022 for around £11million ($15m at current exchange rates) with a view to being Coleman’s successor, struggled for form and fitness and has spent the past couple of years on the periphery.So, who should Everton target in the coming window?Here, The Athletic profiles several potential options — a mix of players actively tracked by the club, such as Arsenal’s Ben White and Guela Doue of Strasbourg, as well as other picks suggested by our data team.O’Brien the benchmarkThere is a passage in former Everton midfielder Leon Osman’s autobiography that offers a telling insight into Moyes’ tactical thinking.In it, he says the Scot, in his first spell as the club’s manager from 2002 to 2013, did not like being “physically outmatched” by opposing sides and would often leave out smaller players, such as himself and left-back Leighton Baines, in games against teams with taller personnel.“When Bainesy came to the club, he found it difficult to get into the team,” Osman wrote. “Moyes kept saying he needed someone bigger, so (6ft 2in/190cm central defender) Joleon Lescott would play left-back.”Moyes has adapted in some ways since those days, particularly in his man-management. But, this past season, the 63-year-old spoke about the need to retain height in a league that has moved back towards physical, more direct play and a focus on set-pieces.At 6ft 5in (197cm), O’Brien offers a third central-defensive profile when deployed at right-back. He is quick and generally sound defensively, though there have been times against more explosive wingers, such as Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku, when he has struggled.There are clear attacking shortcomings, as the below statistical profile shows, but Moyes values the defensive side of his game and has often used O’Brien as a benchmark when assessing potential signings at right-back.Any new addition will have to provide similar defensive characteristics but add more on the ball — so O’Brien, with some Baines.Doue: The ideal fit?The Athletic has detailed Everton’s interest in Ivory Coast international Doue, the elder brother of Paris Saint-Germain star Desire Doue, over the past 12 months. He was high on their wishlist in January, and was scouted regularly last season, but Strasbourg’s valuation deterred potential suitors.Standing at 6ft 1in, the 23-year-old is a well-rounded full-back capable of contributing in attack and defence. He has also played further forward on the wing and at centre-back, too.Physically outstanding — he is capable of going one-vs-one and defending in open spaces — Doue would offer an athletic, versatile option plus greater creative output, managing two goals and six assists in 24 Ligue 1 appearances this past season.Doue tends to come inside for Strasbourg to join in attacks, rather than going on the overlap. He is often at his best in the inside channel, providing crosses or surging into the box. In Ivory Coast’s World Cup warm-up game against France last week, he raced into a central position behind the defence to score an equaliser, then set up Amad’s winner with a low ball into the area.A move to England, and to Everton, would likely require some adaptation: Strasbourg averaged 53.8 per cent of the ball in Ligue 1 last season compared to the Merseyside club’s 43.5 in the Premier League, and the defensive side of his game would be tested far more as a result.There is a feeling in the market that Doue is likely to leave Strasbourg this summer, provided the right offer materialises. But he would not come cheap.The French club’s owners, BlueCo, often place lofty valuations on their players and will no doubt hope he impresses sufficiently at the World Cup to drive up the number of teams keen on Doue and their asking price. Strasbourg are aware of interest from England and other European leagues, and have rejected offers for him over the past year.There is a chance in that scenario Everton will struggle to keep pace with other suitors, and end up looking elsewhere. While a right-back is a priority this summer, they also have to spread their available budget across several other positions.White: The ‘safe’ option?Another player tracked in January and far more of a known quantity. At 28, White boasts extensive top-level Premier League experience and is comfortable playing both on the right and at centre-back.He struggled for fitness and minutes last season, competing with Jurrien Timber and Cristhian Mosquera for game time as Arsenal won the title, but his 2024-25 statistical profile shows a solid defender capable of progressing the ball and retaining possession.As he initially broke through as a centre-back, his creative numbers are far from spectacular.It remains to be seen whether Arsenal are open to selling White, or indeed whether a move to Everton would appeal to him. The Athletic reported last week that a decision is yet to be made on his future.He also ended the season with ligament damage in his right knee, would likely command big wages and offers minimal resale value, as he turns 29 in early October.But White is the kind of player you could imagine Moyes would quickly trust, and that counts for a great deal too.Norton-Cuffy, Wan-Bissaka… someone else?Everton followed Genoa’s England Under-21 international Brooke Norton-Cuffy in January but decided against pursuing a deal, believing he would end up at another Italian club. There has been no indication yet that they are likely to rekindle that interest.The 22-year-old Arsenal academy graduate has spent the bulk of his time either at right wing-back or on the wing for Genoa, which is unlikely to work in his favour when Everton are assessing right-back options. He is quick, athletic and capable of bursting into the final third, but is less of an aerial presence than Doue or O’Brien.Sevilla’s Juanlu Sanchez, also 22, has been followed previously, but is again a more offensive option. Reports have also linked Everton to Atalanta’s 26-year-old Raoul Bellanova.O’Brien’s season dashboard, shown below, gives us greater insight into his statistical profile and highlights Brentford’s Kristoffer Ajer, 28, as someone with similar traits, should Moyes plump for a player who can offer the same kind of qualities.That would allow the Irishman to move back into his favoured central role, but may leave Everton short of creativity again on the right.The Athletic’s similarity ratings also suggested West Ham United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka as another player with similar traits. The club have been linked with a move for the 28-year-old DR Congo international since West Ham’s relegation last month, but may well decide to pursue alternatives.There are needs elsewhere, but a new right-back is key if Everton are to push on.