Everton are making serious moves to shore up their defense, and their latest target could be the next Marc Guéhi. According to Africa Foot, the Toffees have set their sights on FC Midtjylland's 21-year-old Senegalese center-back, Ousmane Diao, ahead of the summer 2026 transfer window.

This isn't just a passing interest. Everton scouts have made at least eight trips to the Danish club by December, tracking multiple players before zeroing in on Diao. The young defender has been turning heads with his powerful presence at the back and an eye for goal—netting 10 goals and providing five assists in 75 appearances. His defensive stats are equally impressive, averaging 2.26 tackles, 1.31 interceptions, and 3.64 clearances per 90 minutes. While he's on the pitch, Midtjylland concede only once every 137 minutes.

But here's the catch: Midtjylland know what they have. With Diao's contract running until June 2029 and no release clause, the Danish side are in complete control. They're demanding €15–20 million for the right-footed defender—a hefty sum compared to his €8 million Transfermarkt valuation. RB Leipzig already tested the waters with a €12 million bid, only to have it instantly rejected. The message is clear: if you want Diao, you'll have to pay up.

Diao's journey to this point has been steady. After a spell with Portuguese club CD Mafra, he made his move to Midtjylland permanent in July 2024. Now, he's attracting attention from a host of top clubs, including Eintracht Frankfurt, Porto, Benfica, Fulham, Liverpool, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth. But the Premier League is a different beast. Jumping from the Danish Superliga to England's top flight is a massive leap, and spending up to €20 million on that transition is a gamble.

For Everton, the timing couldn't be more critical. With Jarrad Branthwaite facing another injury-hit season and veterans James Tarkowski and Michael Keane entering the twilight of their careers, the Toffees desperately need fresh legs at the back for the 2026/27 campaign. Diao could be the answer to their defensive headache—but only if they're willing to roll the dice.