Everton have been rebuffed in their attempts to sign Burnley star Maxwel Cornet, as the race to secure the Ivorian’s signature hots up.
What’s the word?
As per talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook – in his transfer notebook – the Toffees have seen a loan offer ‘rejected’ by the Turf Moor outfit, amid interest from a host of other Premier League clubs.
The report suggests that uber-rich Newcastle United are set to trigger the 25-year-old’s £17.5m release clause, with the impressive forward looking likely to leave his current side just a year on from arriving in Lancashire on a £12.9m deal.
The report also suggests that newly-promoted Nottingham Forest have ‘failed to agree personal terms’ with the former Lyon man, while Chelsea were also said to be showing interest in a possible swoop earlier in the window.
Thelwell must act
The Merseysiders have already brought in two players from the Clarets so far this summer, with centre-back James Tarkowski joining on a free transfer in what was the first arrival of the window for the club, before he was joined at Goodison Park by highly-rated youngster Dwight McNeil earlier this week – the 22-year-old signing for a reported fee of around £20m.
It would seemingly make sense to raid Vincent Kompany’s side for a third time to secure a deal for the aforementioned Cornet, with sporting director Kevin Thelwell needing to act to sign the 25-cap menace in the coming weeks.
Do Everton need Maxwel Cornet?
The nature of the club’s offer will seemingly frustrate supporters, with there no doubt those who are scratching their heads at why Everton won’t just pay the required £17.5m fee rather an attempt a loan swoop, with such a figure a relative bargain considering the versatile gem’s impact last season.
The £44k-per-week star scored nine goals and provided one assist in 26 Premier League games in the 2021/22 campaign – 21 of which came from the start – in what was a fine season on an individual note despite the collective disappointment of relegation.
That impressive tally included a goal and assist when the two sides met in what at the time appeared a pivotal scrap for survival back in April, the £13.5m-rated man netting late on to secure all three points for then-boss Sean Dyche.
That display would have allowed manager Frank Lampard to see first-hand just what a destructive presence Cornet is, with the former England international needing to push Thelwell to get a deal done swiftly, in order to fend off rival interest.
If Everton don’t act now, they could well be tormented by the electric forward again next season for whichever club he inevitably ends up at.
AND in other news: “Still keen..”: Journo drops big Everton transfer update that’ll worry supporters
