Everton lodge offer for fearsome winger worth bulk of Anthony Gordon money, but two Prem rivals threaten Sean Dyche coup
Everton have tabled a ‘verbal offer’ to sign a Ligue 1 speedster who’d absorb the bulk of their Anthony Gordon profits, though two Premier League rivals are also in the mix, per a report.
Once Anthony Gordon completed his £40m (plus £5m in future add-ons) switch to Newcastle, the final few days of the January window were always likely to be hectic for Everton.
The Toffees’ next manager will be Sean Dyche and he has a perilously short space of time to reinvest the Gordon funds.
What Everton do over the next 36 hours could make or break their season, and per the Athletic, they’re now awaiting a response from Rennes after tabling a ‘verbal offer’ to sign Kamaldeen Sulemana on a permanent deal.
The 20-year-old Ghana international plies his trade in Ligue 1 and counts blistering speed among his best traits. He’s right-footed and operates primarily on the left wing.
Sulemana has only featured sparingly for Rennes in the league this season. However, few defenders in world football will relish facing the winger’s fearsome pace.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported Everton hope to bring Sulemana’s raw talents to England. Indeed, the Toffees lodged a verbal offer on Sunday and are awaiting Rennes’ response.
The size of their bid wasn’t stated, though there are plenty of clues as to how big it truly is.
Southampton, Bournemouth circling over Sulemana too
Rennes are claimed to want €30m (approx. £26.4m) before parting ways with Sulemana. Southampton are also in the mix having already seen a €20m (approx. £17.6m) bid turned down.
As such, it stands to reason Everton’s verbal offer is somewhere between £17.6m-£26.4m.
Aside from the Saints, Bournemouth have also ‘showed interest’. The Cherries are on the hunt for a high profile addition in the final third after seeing an audacious move for Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo fall through.
Bournemouth had reached an agreement with Roma over the transfer fee, though Zaniolo snubbed the chance to join the relegation-threatened side.
The Athletic concluded Sulemana ‘wants to leave now’ thanks in large part to his lack of regular game-time this season.
Given Everton have money to burn following Gordon’s sale and the limited time remaining in the window means Everton cannot dally, a deal looks relatively straightforward to make. Sulemana has previously been dubbed the ‘new Sadio Mane’ by observers in Spain.
Another forward on Dyche and Everton’s radars is Anthony Elanga of Man Utd.
The Swede is wanted on loan, though Erik ten Hag is reluctant to allow anyone to leave this month. With good reason, the Red Devils remain in four competitions and strength in depth will become increasingly vital amid a packed fixture list.
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