Everton Eyeing Atalanta Defender Raoul Bellanova, But Who is He?

Everton are reportedly interested in signing Atalanta right-back Raoul Bellanova ahead of the summer transfer window. 

It's no secret that Everton need to sign a right-back in the summer transfer window, especially after it was confirmed that Seamus Coleman would be leaving the club. 

The Toffees have needed to upgrade in that position for many years now, and links are starting to emerge ahead of the transfer window.

One player being linked with a move is West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with Everton said to be the most advanced in their efforts to secure his signature.  

Other targets are now starting to surface, with Everton pushing to bring in a new right-back. 

According to a report from journalist Paul Joyce, Everton are considering a move to sign Atalanta defender Bellanova in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that Everton are targeting a new right-back as a priority after Coleman's exit.  There are also doubts over the future of Nathan Patterson, with Everton willing to listen to offers after he was close to departing in previous windows.

Separate reports have claimed that Bellanova could cost in the region of £17 million despite Atalanta being under no pressure to sell. 

Bellanova is an Italian international who joined Atalanta in 2024. The 26-year-old has spent time at a number of different Italian clubs, starting his youth career with AC Milan. 

Bellanova has made six appearances for his country so far and is predominantly a right-wing-back for both Atalanta and Italy.

The 26-year-old is a progressive right-back who looks to get involved in the final third as much as possible. Playing as a wing-back in Atalanta's system allows him more freedom to get forward, something which he might not be afforded at Everton.

Bellanova is certainly more of an attacking threat than someone like Wan-Bissaka, as seen above, but his data is skewed by the fact that he plays more advanced. The Atalanta defender often finds himself with limited defensive responsibility, especially in comparison to a traditional full-back.

 Looking at Bellanova's heat maps, it's clear to see that he's a player who operates more in the opposition half than his own. Especially when you compare him to Jake O'Brien.

Bellanova is certainly not a player that stands out significantly on the data, even from an attacking perspective. The 26-year-old is a player who is comfortable in possession, but he can struggle with the defensive side of the game, something he will be asked to do a lot of under Moyes.

Bellanova is significantly more of a creative threat than someone like O'Brien, and he loves to get into advanced, dangerous positions to receive the ball. Bellanova is a huge contrast in profiles in comparison to O'Brien, which would certainly offer Everton something different.

It does feel unlikely that Moyes would green-light a move for a right-back who is more of a right midfielder than a defender, and someone whose defensive ability you would certainly consider a weakness. 

I don't necessarily think Bellanova would be a bad signing for Everton as a long-term option if they were planning on playing a different system in the near future. However, it seems like Moyes is here to stay for now, and it's a player that doesn't make a lot of sense for the current set-up.

For me, if Everton did secure the signature of Bellanova, Moyes is more likely to play him on the right-hand side of midfield than at right back.