Bas Dost responds to future, amid Everton rumours

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Everton are linked with a mega-money move for the in-form Dutchman.

Speaking to AD, Bas Dost has ruled out the prospect of leaving Sporting Lisbon this winter.

Speculation from The Sun had mounted that Everton were flirting with the idea of triggering the 28-year-old’s £54 million release clause.

The Toffees badly need a striker after failing to replace Romelu Lukaku and the Dutch hitman netted 34 goals in 31 league outings for Sporting last season.

But is he the answer for under-pressure manager Ronald Koeman? If Dosts’s latest comments are anything to go by, no.

“I’m not waiting for a winter transfer at all. I’m excited at Sporting and I want to be a champion here. I’m not leaving in the winter break,” he told Dutch newspaper AD when quizzed about the Premier League side’s reported interest.

It was a rather unequivocal statement from the former Wolfsburg man, who does not seem to be entertaining the idea of leaving the Portuguese capital.

Such a message might well force the Dutch manager to explore other opportunities in January, if he’s still on Merseyside.

With Everton 16th in the Premier League table after winning just seven points from seven games, his future at Goodison Park is far from secure.