Everton have been heavily linked with a move for Maxwel Cornet this summer, and now a new update has been revealed that could put a dampener on the club’s plans to sign the player.
What’s the latest?
According to BBC journalist Fraser Fletcher, Everton remain interested in signing the Burnley forward this summer, but negotiations have proven difficult.
Fletcher tweeted: “Newcastle now well and truly in the running for Maxwel Cornet. Everton still keen to land him and have verbal agreement on player side but negotiations with Burnley tricky. Cornet at this point could still end up at any club.”
Supporters will be gutted
It is no secret that the Toffees are desperately in need of reinforcements to improve their squad, and Cornet would be a great addition to add depth to the attacking threat at Goodison Park so supporters will surely be worried about the lack of progress ahead of their return to action next week.
Everton have already made three great signings this summer with James Tarkowski, Dwight McNeil and Ruben Vinagre making the move to Merseyside, however, with Richarlison securing a £60m deal to join Tottenham Hotspur, Frank Lampard will want to ensure the attacking threat is fully covered.
Cornet is an extremely versatile player, capable of playing across the front three and in all three of the left-sided positions including left-back – which would give the Everton boss the opportunity to deploy him in a number of positions depending on the demand of the team who had the worst injury record in the Premier League last season.
Over 26 league appearances for Burnley, the 25-year-old scored nine goals, delivered one assist and created two big chances, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots and winning 1.9 duels per game last season – finishing the season as the top goal-scorer for the Clarets.
The Ivory Coast international was the recipient of high praise for his impact on the side last season with former team-mate Nick Pope hailing Cornet a “breath of fresh air”.
Do Everton need Maxwel Cornet?
The Burnley goal machine has a £17.5m release clause attached to his contract, and with other clubs like Newcastle United interested in signing Cornet this summer, Farhad Moshiri will need to act fast and pay the fee that the Championship side are clearly wanting to be met.
AND in other news: Lampard can land his very own Gnabry with Everton bid for “extraordinary” £50m wizard
