Everton eye loan move for electric Ligue 1 winger Klopp loves as pressure mounts on Lampard
Everton are reportedly interested in signing Rennes winger Kamaldeen Sulemana on loan until the end of the season, as Frank Lampard eyes much-needed attacking recruits.
The Ghana international is rated highly but has fallen down the pecking order at the French side this season, opening the door for a temporary departure.
The Toffees need all the help they can get to avoid relegation at the moment, so this could be a potentially season-defining move if Sulemana can find his feet in the Premier League.
Everton currently sit 19th in the league table after picking up just one win in their last eight league matches.
Most recently, the Blues lost 2-1 to Southampton at Goodison Park in a relegation six-pointer and now the pressure is mounting on Lampard and the club’s board.
Everton need to add quality attacking players to their squad if they want to recover from this dire situation. They have already missed out on signing one winger this month, as target Dango Ouattara looks set to be joining Bournemouth ahead of the Toffees, which is damning in itself.
They are also considering moves for several centre-forwards, including Atalanta’s Duvan Zapata and Hull City’s Oscar Estupinan.
Due to their current financial situation, loan moves are more practical for Everton, so this deal for Sulemana has a good chance of happening if Rennes agree to it.
But, Everton will be keen to get a deal over the line as soon as possible, ideally before their crucial relegation six-pointer against West Ham on Saturday.
Confident Sulemana could finally be Everton’s Richarlison replacement
According to the Daily Mail, Lampard has put Sulemana at the top of his transfer shortlist as we head into the final two weeks of the winter window.
The 20-year-old Ghanaian international, typically known as Kamaldeen, has already had a fascinating career.
His career began with the ‘Right to Dream’ academy in Ghana, before joining their affiliate club FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark.
He netted 10 times in the Danish top flight as an 18-year-old, which attracted the interest of several clubs across Europe.
Sulemana eventually joined Rennes for £17.7m in 2021, making him the most expensive player to be sold from Denmark ever.
The youngster showed flashes of brilliance in his inaugural campaign in France, scoring four goals in 20 league appearances for Rennes, as well as a memorable assist in a victory over Paris Saint Germain.
However, a back injury ruled him out of the final months of the Ligue 1 season, and Sulemana now finds himself behind Amine Gouiri in the pecking order, hence why Rennes could be willing to let him leave on loan.
For Everton, this could be an excellent risk-free move. They do not have to commit to buying the Ghanaian, which is especially important given they may be relegated. It also allows Sulemana to play regular football again and to impress in England.
Ghananian to offer Everton something different
The Toffees’ current wingers have been unimpressive this season, too. Demarai Gray has put in some decent performances recently, but Anthony Gordon looks a shadow of his former self and summer signing Dwight McNeil has struggled to play regular minutes so far.
Sulemana would also offer something different. He is quick, confident and direct, with phenomenal dribbling skills which make him capable of beating defenders on the inside and outside.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is one of his biggest admirers and has previously considered him as a replacement for Sadio Mane.
Sulemana can also play on either wing or as a central striker, so the youngster could be the Richarlison replacement Evertonians have been crying out for, if Rennes agree to let him leave on loan in the coming days.
