Everton: ‘Interesting’ transfer verdict in hunt for ‘superb’ Blackpool star Karamoko Dembele
Carlton Palmer claims Everton could be at a disadvantage to Championship sides in the hunt to sign Karamoko Dembele this summer.
The pundit told Football League World on 22 March that the likes of Leeds United and Leicester City might be “more appealing” due to the possibility of more game time.
The Toffees are reportedly watching the “devastating” dribbler along with the likes of fellow sanctioned side Nottingham Forest, and West Ham, Fulham and Brentford [HITC, 19 March], after a breakout campaign on loan at Blackpool from Brest.
Palmer said: “Karamoko Dembele is attracting a lot of interest. He is on loan at Blackpool which has seen the 21-year-old excel, he has been in superb form for Blackpool this season. He has contributed to 19 goals across all competitions.
“This has brought him to the attention of West Ham and Everton, who are looking at the player. It will be interesting to see if they can make a deal with his present club to get him out. With his age at 21, he could be a possible top-flight player.
“Maybe a Leeds or a Leicester would be more appealing to a player in terms of him getting more game time. If he went to Everton or West Ham, he would be more of a squad player.
“It will be interesting to see what happens with him. He has done really, really well, and at the age of 21 I think he would look to go to a club perhaps like Leeds or Leicester where he will be guaranteed more game time if he moves.”
Everton to be overlooked by former Celtic sensation for Championship options?
Palmer’s logic in terms of a pathway to first-team football arguably falls down when it comes to Sean Dyche’s squad, given the austerity in the transfer market over recent seasons has left options thin.
There is little to back up Abdoulaye Doucouré as the main attacking midfielder and only one of the three senior wingers in the squad is a permanent member of the squad in Dwight McNeil.
An injury to the former Burnley ace helped prevent Arnaut Danjuma’s loan from ending early amid an expectation the Villarreal man would depart in January after an underwhelming half-season, while Jack Harrison’s form has dipped.
Either way a jump up from an impressive season in League One with Blackpool to contributing in the Premier League, pending any potential further points deductions, is a lot to expect from a 21-year-old who appears to be a late bloomer.
But just as Everton are unlikely to be able to afford a permanent deal for Harrison even if they wanted to as things stand it is surely the finances that would prove the biggest stumbling block to a deal for Dembele, especially with so many other clubs interested.
He might actually see Goodison Park as the clearest route to playing at the top level if things fall right, but whether the Toffees could commit the required cash to a deal which would essentially be a gamble at this stage is perhaps doubtful.
In other Everton news, Alan Myers has responded to fears the club is now headed for administration.
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