Everton now make progress with agents to sign £17m striker
Everton are now making progress with agents over the last-gasp transfer of Stade Rennais starKamaldeen Sulemana. He is also a target of Southampton before Tuesday’s deadline.
That is according to Dean Jones, who reports Everton are making inroads with agents over a deal for Sulemana. The Toffees are heading in the right direction to convince the forward of a move to Goodison Park. But they are yet to reach an agreement to secure his services.
Everton chiefs are eager to get transfers in place so Frank Lampard’s successor can hit the ground running. Farhad Moshiri sacked the 44-year-old on Monday with the Merseysiders only 19th in the Premier League table. They have won a division-low three from 20 games.
Sulemana has piqued interest at Everton despite only offering one goal during 14 Ligue 1 appearances this season. He also has two assists through four games in the Europa League group stage. But the winger has only started four of his 20 outings across all competitions.
Yet Goodison chiefs believe Sulemana has the potential to improve their current squad in the wider areas. Anthony Gordon and Demarai Gray (3) have led the scoring at Everton so far this season. Only Dwight McNeil also hit home multiple goals under Lampard with two.
Everton are rivalling interest from Southampton to convince Sulemana of his transfer from Stade Rennais. L’Equipe claims the Saints have returned to Roazhon Park with an improved €20m (£17.5m) bid. Southampton initially bid €15m (£13m) rising €2m (£1.5m) in add-ons.
The St Mary’s natives’ improved offer is a straight-cash proposal as they strive to edge PSV Eindhoven. Boeren made Stade Rennais, who paid FC Nordsjaelland £17m for the 20-year-old in July 2021 on a five-year contract, the same terms as Southampton’s failed proposal.
Negotiations between Southampton and Stade Rennais over the transfer of Sulemana are ongoing. Bruno Genesio had informed the winger that he would be staying put in January. But Les Rouge et Noir are now inclined to let him leave and are considering replacements.
Everton, Southampton and PSV Eindhoven would be hoping that Sulemana recaptures the form he showed in Denmark. He left Nordsjaelland with 14 goals and eight assists over 43 appearances. But the 15-cap Ghana star has only hit six and assisted four in 47 in France.
Sulemana’s old boss, Flemming Pedersen, also hailed what the winger gave Nordsjaelland. He told TV3 in 2021: “He is extraordinary. We are talking about a player with potential on a par with Neymar, and maybe even more than that, because he’s even faster.”
