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Unsworth says Everton were surprised no one wanted to sign Bassala Sambou

Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images
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Bassala Sambou is yet to make an impression in the Premier League with Marco Silva’s Everton but has shone for the Toffees at U23 level.

Bassala Sambou of Everton celebrates with the trophy during the Premier League 2 match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on May 8, 2017 in Liverpool, England.

Everton were willing to let young striker Bassala Sambou leave on loan in January but were surprised about the lack of takers, U23 coach David Unsworth has told the Liverpool Echo.

21-year-old Sambou has impressed at reserve level for the Toffees this season, scoring seven goals in 17 Premier League 2 games. As a result, it seemed he was set to join the likes of Beni Baningime, Kieran Dowell and Matthew Pennington out on loan to give him the chance to prove himself at senior level.

The Liverpool Echo, however, reports that there was a lack of interest from clubs in the Football League, which left Everton somewhat perplexed.

“I was surprised nobody came in for him in January because his form was good and his work-rate alone gets you up the pitch and you are able to press behind him,” Unsworth said.

Bassala Sambou of Everton attempts a bicycle kick during the Premier League 2 match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on May 8, 2017 in Liverpool, England.

“There were a couple of enquiries but I was expecting a call on deadline day that he was going somewhere but he didn’t.”

Sambou’s long-term future remains up in the air for now with his contract at Goodison Park due to expire at the end of the season. But, having scored goals at a decent rate for the second string, it seems that he is well placed to earn fresh terms even if he appears in danger of missing the boat at the age of 21.

Can Sambou follow the likes of Tom Davies, Jonjoe Kenny and Dominic Calvert-Lewin into Everton’s first-team?

Bassala Sambou of Everton battles with Nat Phillips of Liverpool during the Premier League 2 match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on May 8, 2017 in Liverpool, England.