Everton say Ademola Lookman is not for sale after reported RB Leipzig bid – so why not play him?
The future of Ademola Lookman as an Everton player remains uncertain, with Sky Sports reporting that RB Leipzig have made an improved £22m offer for the winger.
As the Independent outlines, the Toffees rejected two bids of £12m and £14m for Lookman from Leipzig over the summer but the Bundesliga club remain focused on signing the 20-year-old.
The England Under-21 international impressed while on loan at the Red Bull Arena in the second half of last season, scoring five goals in 11 matches.
Decision time
The Liverpool Echo, meanwhile, claims that only one official bid has been made for Lookman so far and the stance remains that the youngster is not for sale.
If this is the case then the Merseyside club need to back up their position by actually giving the attacker game time – especially as the reason he is tempted by a move back to Germany is because of more first team opportunities.
Lookman is yet to make an appearance for Everton this term and was not even included on the bench for the opening day draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers, even though manager Marco Silva is clearly a big fan.
Silva told the Guardian earlier this month: “I told him and our board on the first day that I believe in his skills and his profile. I did my technical analysis on him and he is a good talent. He is our present and our future. Now he has to fight for his position.”
Getting a position in the starting XI has been further complicated for Lookman by new signings Bernard and Richarlison, with the latter having scored three goals in his first two games.
Yet while the Brazilian has hit the ground running, perhaps the former Charlton Athletic man should be at least given an opportunity ahead of Theo Walcott, who although provided a goal and assist in the weekend’s victory over Southampton, is still arguably wasting more chances than he converts.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
