Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Everton striker Marcus Bent has said that bringing in Conor Coady would not only provide competition for places but would improve the Toffees' back four.

Only Leicester and Leeds conceded more goals than Everton in the top-half of the Premier League last season as Carlo Ancelotti struggled to find a settled back-line.

And therefore, Everton are hoping to improve a defence that kept just 12 clean sheets last season – with only three of those coming at Goodison Park.

According to Football Insider, the Merseysiders are still keen on Coady, regardless of whether Nuno Espirito Santo takes over as manager.

Coady has missed just one Premier League game in the last three seasons, and that was due to having to quarantine, with his form seeing him named in Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad.

Everton currently have four centre-backs in Yerry Mina, Michael Keane, Mason Holgate and the versatile Ben Godfrey, but Bent reckons that Coady would be a shrewd signing for his former side.

He told Football FanCast:

"What they're saying is, Holgate and Michael Keane are Everton's centre-halves, but he would stabilise them. If he were to come in, he would bring competition for places.

"They're all on a level where they respect each other, so I think it would be a good thing for Everton to bring him in. Hopefully bringing in another centre-half, who's been great for Wolves, would help the defence to become more consistent."