Everton defender Niels Nkounkou subject to interest from Belgium
An unnamed Belgian side has tabled an offer for Everton defender Niels Nkounkou, according to a report in The Liverpool Echo.
The 20-year-old left-back started the Toffees’ game against Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup, but is likely to leave on loan before the August 31 deadline.
The Frenchman has made a total of seven senior appearances for the club thus far and could spend this season on loan in Belgium.
Needs game time
Nkounkou is a player who’s got a very high ceiling and he’s displaying some of his quality at a relatively nascent age of 20.
With Thierry Small’s departure, he’s arguably the club’s best Under-21 left-back, and rather than playing the odd senior game this season, it’s better he goes out on loan and becomes a regular starter.
Former Premier League defender Stephen Warnock also waxed his lyrical when the club signed him last summer.
Via his personal Twitter account, he said, “Have to say Everton’s transfer business this summer has been excellent but it’s not only the household names that have impressed me, Niels Nkounkou is some player.
“A magnificent find. Bright future ahead and Digne has someone pushing him.”
While he’s not gone so far as to pushing Lucas Digne for a first-team berth, we’re confident that in a few years if he continues to develop at the same rate, he would certainly be on the matchday squad week in and week out.
Digne’s one of Everton’s best players so it will not be easy to usurp him and become the club’s first-choice left-back.
In other Everton news, Club in advanced talks to sign big-name Everton player – Sky Sports journalist
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on Everton and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.