By Pranav Shahaney

27th May, 2023 | 4:40pm

Saint Etienne aim to make profit after sealing permanent transfer of Everton defender Niels Nkounkou

Everton defender Niels Nkounkou will reportedly immediately join Saint Etienne once they trigger the clause to buy him permanently.

According to Le Progres [26 May], they however, will not be keeping him permanently and will be looking to make a profit from his sale.

The fee mooted to sign him will be a little under £2million and they aim to get £3.5milllion – £4million from any future sale with there being a few other clubs looking to sign him.

Not Everton standard?

The 22-year-old went out on loan to gain first-team experience and it’s fair to say that he’s done a decent job at Etienne.

However, that’s the second tier of French football which could be on par with League One in England and the gulf in class is huge.

For him to be Everton level, he will have to perform well in the top flight of France or another reputed European league.

Even if Saint Etienne do not look to sign him permanently, there’s a good chance that the Toffees will be cashing in on his services.

As of now, their main focus, however, will be to stay in the Premier League and will be doing everything possible to achieve that.

Sean Dyche will then perhaps be consumed as to whether or not he wants to keep Nkounkou beyond the summer.