Everton transfer news: Niels Nkounkou reacts to transfer speculation amid ‘I belong to Everton’ admission
Niels Nkounkou has addressed his future ahead of Saint-Etienne’s final game of the season on Friday (2 June) amid speculation of a permanent Everton exit.
The left-sided wing-back has had a successful season on loan with the French Ligue 2 side, who have an option to buy him in the deal.
But the 22-year-old acknowledges the Toffees are still his current employer and suggested he may not even play for either side but instead sign elsewhere as he wants to test himself at the top level – Saint-Etienne are destined to finish mid-table in the second tier.
He told Onze Mondial: “As I have always said, my mission was to come to Saint-Étienne to help the club maintain itself. The goal is almost achieved. I don’t particularly think about my future.
“First of all, I want to finish the season well, collectively and individually. Afterwards, depending on my performance, we will see what the future holds for me. I have to be good every weekend.
“Afterwards, I will think about whether to stay in Saint-Étienne or sign elsewhere knowing that I belong to Everton. I don’t worry, I stay focused on the pitch. We’ll see what will happen.
“I don’t know if Saint-Étienne has control over my purchase option. By showing what I show in Ligue 2, it makes me want to gauge myself at the top level.
“But are there clubs interested in my profile? We do not know. That’s why I don’t bother. If Marseille is looking for a left side, it’s good for them (laughs). Me, I really want to finish in Saint-Étienne, then we’ll see.”
Options open
Nkounkou has never really got a sniff back at Everton and after multiple loan moves looks likely to be on the way out for good.
After his season on loan, with six goals and eight league assists from the left flank, Saint-Etienne would no doubt like to keep hold of him so triggering his permanent option seems likely.
Whether he would be happy to stay there is another matter, with Foot sur 7 reporting on 6 April that “elite” clubs were interested in him, so he could be sold on again immediately for a profit.
If that happens it would be yet more cash that Everton have missed out on in their transfer dealings, although in comparison to having unwanted players stuck on the books back at Goodison it is probably better to have received some fee in the first place.
At just 22 still he could have been an option for the Championship if Sean Dyche and the first team lose out on the final day of the Premier League season back on Merseyside.
But, while he is still technically an Everton player for now, it doesn’t seem especially likely that Nkounkou’s future will be with the club as a permanent exit nears.