Lille are blocking a January departure for USA international Timothy Weah with Premier League duo Everton and Fulham keen on the former Paris Saint-Germain youngster, according to FootMercato.
The reasons for Weah’s frustration, at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, are twofold.
One, he is merely a back-up under Lille boss Paulo Fonseca; coming off the bench more times than he’s been in the starting XI. Furthermore, when Weah is playing, he’s usually doing the hard yards in the defensive third, rather than in his favoured attacking role.
Weah’s versatility is, it seems, as much a curse as it is a gift. He’s filled in at right-back and left-back this term. Though the ‘utility man’ role is not one that appeals to him.
Fulham, Everton and Brighton and Hove Albion like Lille’s Timothy Weah
Interest from the likes of Everton, Fulham and high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion may be enough to turn Weah’s head, per L’Equipe, but Lille are not exactly encouraging offers. In fact, they’re actively discouraging them.
With fellow widemen Adam Ounas and Jonathan Bamba currently out injured, FootMercato reports that Lille have ‘blocked’ approaches from the likes of Sevilla and Borussia Monchengladbach. Weah’s representatives are working tirelessly to find a way out, but Lille are locking the doors and hiding the keys.
According to FootMercato, Lille value Weah at around £13 million.
Still only 22 years of age, Weah has nearly 30 caps for the USA national team. Former PSG team-mate Neymar even claimed that the New York-born speedster had ‘everything to become one of the top attacking players in Europe’. Though injuries and a lack of consistent game-time has impeded his progress in recent times.
And while his flexibility may appeal to many a manager, Weah would presumably be tempted most by a club willing to offer him an attacking role, where he can utilise his searing pace and eye for goal. Fulham, interestingly, are prioritising reinforcements at right-back. Is this where they see Weah playing at Craven Cottage?
Struggling Everton want additions further forward, though Frank Lampard’s sacking could complicate their hopes of some late-window additions.
Who will replace Frank Lampard at Everton?
With a two-week break from the Premier League, focus at Goodison will now turn to Lampard’s replacement. Marcelo Bielsa, Nuno Espirito Santo and Sean Dyche are among the early frontrunners. Brentford coach Thomas Frank, however, has been issued a warning about the vacant Everton post.
“Why would he leave Brentford to go to second-bottom Everton?” former England international Darren Bent tells talkSPORT. “There is no way Thomas Frank is leaving Brentford to go to Everton now.
“Everton are a bigger club. But what Brentford are doing this season… they could be level with Tottenham in fifth! Why leave somewhere that’s stable to go to chaos? And it might last six months (at Everton).
“I like Thomas Frank. And I think, unfortunately, he will go onto the next level. What he’s done with this football club is exceptional.”
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