Niels Nkounkou could now be left with ultimatum in Everton transfer news
On-loan Everton defender Niels Nkounkou could now be facing a transfer ultimatum ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Peuple Vert.
This summer will undoubtedly prove to be another whirlwind off-season for Everton no matter which division they will be playing in, as the Blues will once again be forced into frantically trying to move on deadwood and underperforming players.
Currently shining at St.Etienne over in France, Nkounkou will need to decide whether to try again at Goodison Park or stay away with a possible permanent exit.
The 22-year-old scored for St Étienne at the weekend in their 2-1 victory over Nîmes, and Peuple Vert’s Lino Viale believes he will have a choice to make.
“If he continues this momentum of very good performances, Nkounkou will have to choose”, they said on Thursday.
“Would he prefer to try the experience of the Premier League again if Everton maintain it, or will he choose to continue under the green tunic?” “He is now a central element of the team and has a profile compatible with the restructuring project around young players.”
What next for Nkounkou?
Despite a difficult spell at Cardiff City in the early part of the season, Nkounkou was valued enough by Everton to keep him at the club rather than selling him during the January transfer window.
Nkounkou learned his trade at fellow French side Olympique Marseille, playing almost 50 games for their youth sides before departing the club as a free agent in the summer of 2020 and signing for Everton under the direction of then Director of Football Marcel Brands.
He played six times in his debut campaign on Merseyside but has featured just once since before loan spells to Standard Liege and Cardiff ahead of his current switch to St. Etienne.
With one goal and three assists from just six games, Nkounkou will be monitored heavily by Everton in the hope he can either return to the club as an improved player or be moved on for a tidy profit.