Everton are holding talks with Rennes over a potential deal for the Ghanaian winger Kamaldeen Sulemana to bring the 20-year-old to Goodison Park this month.
What’s the latest?
Frank Lampard’s future on Merseyside is seemingly hanging in the balance now following a dismal defeat against Southampton on the weekend.
However, due to their issues with FFP, the Toffees are yet to see any new faces come through the doors at Finch Farm this month.
But this could soon change with Everton believed to be currently locked in negotiations with the Ligue 1 side over a possible swoop for the Ghanaian.
This is according to the reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano who has been speaking on the House of Champions YouTube channel to discuss the Toffee’s search for improvements over the January window:
“Many players are worried about the situation in the table, and so it’s normal to see a difficult market for Everton, but they’re trying.
“They are trying in many positions, for example, Kamaldeen Sulemana from Rennes, the Ghanaian winger is a player they really appreciate. They are in negotiations for a loan with buy option.”
Adding real quality
The idea of a loan deal is something that could hugely benefit Everton given their current situation as any big signings this month would not only affect FFP but could prove risky given the club’s current league position.
Although the notion of signing players this month is to help Everton survive the drop this month, it does pose the risk of signing an expensive asset and still potentially going down.
But in Sulemana, Everton could be landing a player full of potential with his former Rennes teammate, Jonas Martins, full of praise for the 20-year-old:
“Kamaldeen Sulemana is very talented. He is a player like there are not many in the teams. He is able to create situations on his own, there is no need for many people around him.”
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In his 13 appearances in Ligue 1 this season, the Ghanian has only been able to find the back of the net on one occasion and is yet to prove an assist (via Transfermarkt).
However, he has impressed in their Europa League campaign having provided two assists during the four appearances he has made in the competition.
Given the Toffees find themselves in a relegation scrap, perhaps there is something to be taken from Sulemana’s defensive stats with the 20-year-old in the upper fourth percentile for tackles and interceptions made (via FBref).
Of course, Everton fans will want a winger who can create opportunities and he ranks in the top two percentile for dribbles completed but this does demonstrate he could be up for the fight on Merseyside.
