Everton offer £16.7million for Rennes winger Kamaldeen Sulemana amid Southampton, Newcastle, PSV and Bournemouth attention
Negotiations are in progress between Everton and Rennes over a late-window transfer for winger Kamaldeen Sulemana, L’Equipe reports.
David Ornstein in The Athletic (30 January) had reported the Toffees had made a verbal offer for the player, with the French publication specifying that it was for €19million [£16.7million], which has got them into talks alongside other clubs.
There is extensive interest in the player who wants to leave before the transfer deadline, with Southampton reported to have bid €20million [£17.6million], while PSV Eindhoven have put an offer of €15million plus €2million bonuses [£13.2million plus £1.76million] on the table.
None of these amounts yet meet the Rennes’ asking price for the 20-year-old international of €25million [£22million], while Bournemouth are also credited with an interest.
Newcastle were also thought to be after him, but according to the Daily Mail earlier on Monday (30 January) they were put off by the valuation, as high as £40million, and are no longer in the race.
The Magpies have just spent that much on Toffees wide man Anthony Gordon, and talkSPORT’s Alex Crook has also reported the same day that the new spending power at Goodison Park as a result may now also push the Saints aside for Sulemana.
Field thinning out
As fast as the suitors for the youngster, who already has 15 international caps, are falling by the way side so is the time left to do this deal.
After offering the entire fee brought in from the Gordon sale to try to prize Conor Gallagher from Chelsea on Monday, it is clear that the cash is available to spend.
It looks like a fair amount more is going to need to be put on the table for the Ligue 1 side to budge on Sulemana, although the signs from elsewhere suggest that is expected among Premier League rivals, with Newcastle and Southampton possible conceding.
Evidently the youngster has talent, having attracted so may sides to queue up to sign him this month, and on this rare occasion it appears that Everton have got the power to win the race at the club level.
However, as with Gallagher’s subsequent refusal to consider a move to Goodison it remains to be seen whether Sulemana’s desire to leave the French side extends as far as joining the relegation battle under Sean Dyche.
The Toffees are at the table, which is a start, but there is still a lot of work to be done before the end of Tuesday night if they are to get this one over the line.