Premier League competition for Everton’s unwanted striker

Despite Ronald Koeman wanting nothing to do with him, the interest in Oumar Niasse keeps growing. Premier League newcomers Brighton & Hove Albion have made two offers for the player already, both of which have been rejected as Everton are looking for around £10m for the forward.

As reported by the Guardian, Brighton have asked twice to take the player on loan, with an option to buy at the end of the season. The latest bid also had a loan fee of £750,000 but Everton have not budged. Crystal Palace meanwhile are also interested but are yet to make an offer.

Niasse is under contract until 2020, though he does not train with the senior squad and instead has been playing for the Under-23s under the tutelage of David Unsworth. He was even part of the Premier League 2 title winning squad last season, but ended the season at Hull City on loan where he could not save the Tigers from relegation.

By all reports, Niasse has been unfortunate to be stuck in a situation that does him no good. A prized signing by Roberto Martinez, he didn’t quite work out at Everton and Koeman has no interest in playing him. So now he’s dangling on the end of a fishing line with the Toffees trying to recoup as much of the £13.5m they paid as possible.

For his sake, we do hope that Niasse is eventually sold into a better environment for him.