Nathan Patterson can finally end Rangers exit deja vu as Everton transfer trigger leaves David Moyes to fulfil pledge

Fringe man Nathan Patterson could finally be given the chance to kickstart his career away from Everton with the club reportedly set to sign a new right-back.

The 23-year-old has managed just four substitute Premier League appearances this season and reports suggest he is open to a Goodison Park exit this month to increase his time on the pitch as he looks to catch Steve Clarke's eye and return to the Scotland set-up. He made a rare start for the club in their 2-0 FA Cup win Peterborough - but was instantly dropped back to the bench by new boss David Moyes for his first game in charge.

And after the 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Wednesday night -where Ashley Young started ahead of the former Rangers kid - The Toffees are said to be closing in on a new right-back. Reports in the Netherlands suggest that the club have been "given the green light" to Ajax defender Devyne Rensch.

The 21-year-old is out of contract in the summer and the Dutch giants are likely to cash in this month. That could see Patterson get his wish - with former boss Sean Dyche insisting that he would only be allowed to leave if a replacement was found.

Before he was shown the door, he said last month: "At the end of the day, our situation here is that we certainly will not be letting anyone go unless we need to. Unless, of course, we can swap and change. We want to keep the squad, we have had injuries and been very stretched."

It now falls to Moyes to make the decision on Patterson and his future at the club as he looks set to fall into a familiar pattern since making a £11million switch from Rangers in January 2022. Having been signed by Rafa Benitez, the Spaniard was shown the door just days after the deal was completed with Patterson being forced