EXCLUSIVE: Former Everton striker set to reject Middlesbrough interest

Oumar Niasse, Angelo Ogbonna

Former Everton striker Oumar Niasse will reject interest from clubs in England – including Middlesbrough – to move abroad, TEAMtalk understands.

The 30-year-old Senegal international is a free agent after departing Everton in the recent transfer window. Indeed, the Toffees eventually accepted defeat in finding a suitable buyer for the forward.

But despite his career coming to a halt, Niasse has received a plethora of interest since entering free agency.

TEAMtalk understands that Championship sides such as Derby and Middlesbrough have both showed interest.

However, Niasse has attracted some big money offers from the Middle East, with proposals from clubs in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on the table.

Niasse moved to Goodison Park from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2016 when they paid £13million for him. However he rarely got much of a chance.

During his only full campaign for the Toffees he scored eight goals Premier League goals in 2017/18. He also had loan spells at Cardiff and Hull.

Overall, he made 42 appearances for Everton, scoring a single further goal and adding four assists.

Niasse moved to Europe in 2013, signing for Turkish club Akhisar Belediye. From there, he moved to Moscow and eventually earned his chance in the Premier League.

After two half-seasons at Goodison Park, however, he signed up to a loan spell in East Yorkshire.

It was in the 2017/18 campaign in which Niasse showed his best form, but his chances did not last. Indeed, in January 2019 he moved to Cardiff but could not prevent their Premier League relegation.

In his final season on Merseyside, Niasse made three Premier League appearances totalling 19 minutes of action.

Rooney baffled at Southgate for Calvert-Lewin snub

Dominic Calvert-Lewin Michael Keane Everton TEAMtalk

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney feels England should have given Dominic Calvert-Lewin an earlier chance on the international stage.

The striker has started the season in magnificent form, with seven Premier League goals to his name.

Such form earned him his first Three Lions appearances in October but Rooney feels he should have earned his chance before this season.

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