Agent Erkut Sogut has told Fanatik that Cenk Tosun will start training with Everton in the coming weeks, as the striker steps up his rehabilitation from injury.
Rafa Benitez is yet to call on Tosun since taking charge at Goodison Park this summer. The Turkey forward required surgery on his knee in April after rupturing his patella tendon. The blow called short his loan spell with Besiktas last season after just four appearances.
Carlo Ancelotti sent Tosun to Istanbul on Deadline Day in February, having struggled for games under the Italian. He played just 43 minutes in the Premier League, after returning from surgery on an ACL injury that had cut short a previous loan with Crystal Palace.
Everton wanted to sell Tosun this summer as Benitez was unlikely to rely on the striker, per the Liverpool Echo. But his injury hindered their attempts, and Sogut now claims his client is looking forward to challenging for his role.
“I hope Cenk Tosun will return to the field even stronger, as soon as possible,” Sogut said. “For this, he continues to work day and night with his private trainer. He has started running and will start training with the ball at his club, Everton, in a few weeks.
“[Tosun] is also very happy to be joining his friends at Everton again. He has one more year [on his] contract and will do his best on the field. The success of Everton is very important for Cenk.
“He is counting down the days to return to the national team as soon as possible and fight with his friends on the field to participate in the World Cup. Participating in the World Cup in Qatar is very important for both Turkey and Cenk.”
Will Tosun have a future at Everton under Benitez?
Everton will want Tosun on the pitch before the winter, so they can sell Sogut’s client come the January sales. The Toffees will be loath to see the 30-year-old leave on a free transfer when his £60k-a-week contact expires in June, four years after paying Besiktas £27m.
But after playing just 11 games and 404 minutes altogether last season between two lengthy injuries, he is unlikely to have much to offer Benitez. Especially after Everton signed Salomon Rondon to provide cover for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.
Tosun, then, will likely need to use the coming months to build fitness and work on leaving Everton in January. He can ill-afford to spend an entire season on the sidelines, even when fit, with a World Cup next year.
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