Standard Liege in loan talks over Everton defender Niels Nkounkou
Standard Liege are in talks with Everton over a loan deal for French left-back Niels Nkounkou, according to Le Soir.
The Belgian news outlet claims Standard are looking for a back-up to first-choice Nicolas Gavory.
If a deal transpires for the 20-year-old it will be in the form of a season-long loan, as per Le Soir’s report.
Risky
Teenage starlet Thierry Small recently left Everton after growing disillusioned with life at Goodison Park as he was behind Lucas Digne and Nkounkou in the left-back pecking order.
The 17-year-old rejected professional terms with the Blues and instead opted to join Southampton on a three-year deal with the hope that he can challenge their new signing Romain Perraurd.
Therefore, if Nkounkou departs on loan, Rafa Benitez will be left with just Digne as a natural left-back.
That’s a risky move given the France international spent time on the sidelines last season with an injury.
Carlo Ancelotti was forced to field the likes of Alex Iwobi and Ben Godfrey as make-shift wing-backs on the left-hand side instead.
Unless Benitez is allowed to bring in another left-back before the transfer window slams shut on Tuesday, he could be forced to make a similar decision.
It’s a difficult one for the Blues as Nkounkou clearly needs to gain senior experience elsewhere as he is currently nowhere near Digne’s level.
But if he is going to Standard as another backup, is there even any point?
Nkounkou made just two Premier League appearances last season after arriving from Marseille.
In other Everton news, the Blues are confident of signing this record-breaking striker amid an approach to his Saudi-owned club.
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