Everton

Everton

Premier League • England

Maxwel Cornet latest: Everton reach agreement with Burnley star but other suitors still lurking

Maxwel Cornet Erik Pieters Burnley 2022 TEAMtalk1

Reports claim Everton have agreed personal terms with versatile winger Maxwel Cornet but have yet to do a deal with Burnley.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a decent season for the Clarets, bagging nine goals from 26 Premier League appearances. However, with the Turf Moor outfit suffering relegation, it always seemed as though he would be on his way. A release clause of just £17.5m has attracted many suitors to the Ivory Coast international.

West Ham United, Chelsea and Newcastle United have all been mentioned in connection with the former Lyon star. But the Toffees emerged as serious contenders to secure his signature in early July.

They hoped to take him on loan for 2022-2023 with an option to purchase at the end of the campaign. That was a non-starter, with reports that the Merseysiders then offered £14m, with £3.5m in add-ons.

The new bid was rejected by the Championship outfit who want the player’s full value paid up front. And it is said that the Goodison Park club will return with another offer in the near future.

Frank Lampard is clearly a big fan as Everton officials seem to have thrashed out personal terms with the former France Under-21 star.

According to But! Football Club journalist Ignazio Genuardi, the north-west giants will pay Cornet £67,000 per week if he signs on the dotted line.

Everton are thought to be in pole position for his signature but it is not yet a done deal.

Other suitors emerge for Cornet

Burnley’s six-year stay in the top flight ended in May when they finished 18th in the Premier League table. Sean Dyche was sacked on April 15, with Mike Jacson given the task of trying to keep them afloat.

He failed to stave off relegation and Vincent Kompany is now at the helm. It was inevitable that the club’s top players would be targeted and Cornet falls into that category.

Premier League new boys Fulham and Nottingham Forest are also thought to hold an interest. But neither has yet matched Burnley’s asking price.

It is clear why so many clubs are targeting Cornet this summer. The African ace can fulfil many roles, playing many times as a left-back during his career.

But he operated further forward for the Clarets, and ended up as the club’s top scorer in 2021-2022. The man with six international goals can also play as a central striker, giving his manager many options.

Everton have already raided Burnley, with the acquisition of Dwight McNeil. They hope to make it a double strike on Turf Moor but need to stump up the cash if they are to seal a deal.

With Richarlison now gone, Lampard needs more firepower. And, with the clubs not too far apart in valuation, it may be only a matter of time before they get their man.

Lampard managed to keep the Blues in the Premier League with a late-season upturn in form. And he needs quality in his ranks to prevent another nail-biter for the Toffees faithful.

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