Everton and Leeds United beaten in Arnaut Kalimuendo transfer race as £16.8m transfer all but done
Rennes are set to win the race to sign Everton target Arnaut Kalimuendo from Paris Saint-Germain, according to Le Parisien.
The French news outlet reported on 10 August that the 20-year-old’s move from PSG to Rennes “should be confirmed in the next few hours” before arriving in Brittany on Thursday (11 August) to sign his contract and complete his £16.8million-plus transfer
It is understood that Everton, Leeds United and OGC Nice were also in the hunt to sign Kalimuendo but Rennes have resisted “the sirens of England to win the day”.
Massive shame
We’re gutted about this one.
Everton need to sign a new striker before the transfer window slams shut in three weeks’ time and Kalimuendo would have been a very good fit.
He’s like a younger version of Richarlison as he’s versatile, explosive and knows how to find the back of the net.
Before returning to PSG this summer, Kalimuendo had spent two seasons out on loan with Lens.
During his time at Lens, he got to know Ligue 1 and last term, he scored 13 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions for the North France outfit.
He bagged big goals for Lens against the likes of Lyon, Stade Reim, Nice, Monaco and Lens’ big rivals Lille.
Everton are without Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the coming weeks due to yet another injury and as the England international becomes decreasingly reliable, Salomon Rondon isn’t good enough to step in.
Kalimuendo should be a good signing for Rennes.
We really don’t expect him to be there long before he’s snapped up by a bigger club in European football.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Blues keep tabs on him in Rennes.