Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Tue 28 April 2026 10:10, UK

Everton had been linked with Ethan Nwaneri in the past, and Habib Beye’s latest words may end that interest.

Regardless of what happens between now and the end of May, Everton will be hoping for another big summer of recruitment, with plenty of work to be done.

A lot of it will be focused on improving their attacking options and adding more creativity, which has been lacking ever since Jack Grealish’s season-ending injury.

Nwaneri had previously been linked as a potential remedy to that concern before joining Marseille on loan from Arsenal.

However, Nwaneri has had a tough time of it in France, and the latest admission could see the Toffees end their interest for good.

Ethan Nwaneri’s attitude slammed at Marseille

Nwaneri is undoubtedly a talented player, and that was on show when he was at Arsenal.

However, players of a very similar ability have failed to make anything of their careers in the past as a result of believing in their own hype, and Nwaneri is heading down that road.

The teen has started just three times in Ligue 1 this season, with just nine total appearances, showcasing where he sits in the pecking order.

And there is a very good reason for that, with Habib Beye having slammed his attitude in a recent interview.

Via L1+, the Marseille boss said: “He’s a quality player, but he has to give us way more in his day-to-day commitment. Other players gave way more.”

For Everton, and more specifically, for David Moyes, they will not want to add someone like that to a squad of players who work hard.

Nwaneri demonstrates why loans can be an issue

Take Grealish, for example. The City star adapted to life easily at Everton, and you could tell that everything he did had passion behind it.

When a loan pays off like that, it is a resounding success.

But quite often, the arriving player has no affiliation or desire to succeed at his loan club, given that he will know he has somewhere to return to at the end of the season, regardless of how he fares.

From the outside looking in, that very much seems the situation with Nwaneri.