Everton set date for Tom Cannon exit as £8m development emerges
Everton are ready to let Tom Cannon join Preston North End on loan next week, but only if other interested clubs do not first table offers for a permanent deal, according to Alan Nixon.
Toffees academy product Cannon impressed on loan in the Championship with Preston in the second half of last season, scoring eight goals in 20 appearances [Soccerway], and the Lilywhites want to re-sign the youngster for the duration of 2023-24.
However, newspaper reporter Nixon wrote on his personal Patreon page on Sunday [13 August] that North End face competition from elsewhere for the 20-year-old, including suitors from abroad.
“Everton have told Preston that Tom Cannon can join them on loan on Wednesday – but rival clubs are looking at an £8million buy,” he said.
“North End hoped to get Cannon last week after agreeing to a massive six-figure loan on top of his wages.
“However, Cannon was needed by Everton yesterday and will be on call for an under-21 match against Liverpool on Monday and behind closed doors with Manchester United at Carrington.
“Preston are frustrated by waiting. However, Italian Serie B side Sampdoria are keen to take him permanently. Both Sunderland and Stoke have asked about the price for a full time buy. Leeds have also been keeping an eye on developments.
“Cannon may be up for leaving following the arrival of Portuguese striker Youssef Chermiti, a player at the same age.”
Firepower
Cannon showed during his four months at Deepdale last season that he has what it takes to lead the line for a club with ambitions of challenging for a Championship playoff spot.
The Aintree-born striker scored at a rate of 0.43 goals per 90 minutes [FBref], which was bettered by only 12 others in the second tier last season, many of whom are now playing in the Premier League.
Some Everton fans will question why Cannon is being allowed to leave once again when their side have clear goalscoring issues of their own, as highlighted in their 1-0 loss to Fulham on Saturday [12 August].
A loan exit could prove to be the best bet for both Cannon and Everton in the long run, though, as he will be a year more experienced upon returning next season, at which point he could stake a claim to seriously challenge for first-team starts.
But an £8m offer, should it indeed be tabled, may well sway Everton’s decision as they could do with recouping further funds before bringing in one of their striking targets, Leeds United’s £25m-rated Wilfried Gnonto among them [TEAMtalk].
Either way, it looks certain now that Cannon will be playing his football away from Goodison Park next season, providing the youngster with a chance to show exactly what he is capable of on a more consistent basis.
In other Everton news, Alan Myers has delivered a frustrating injury verdict on Dominic Calvert-Lewin after the striker missed the Fulham clash.