Report: Everton and Leeds target faces January exit, omitted from squad

Follow us on Google Discover

Napoli could sell Fernando Llorente in January after leaving the reported Everton and Leeds United target out of their Europa League squad, according to AreaNapoli.

Arkadiusz Milik isn’t the only striker stuck in limbo at the Stadio San Paolo, out of Gennaro Gattuso’s first-team plans and condemned to life on the sidelines until the winter window swings open.

Llorente failed to secure a move away from Napoli during the final few days of the summer market despite interest from Everton and Leeds – and he is now paying the price (Mirror, 4 September, page 72).

The World Cup winner has yet to play a single second of Serie A football in 2020/21.

And he will be nowhere to be seen during Thursday’s trip to AZ Alkmaar, having been omitted from Gattuso’s Europa League roster.

You would imagine, then, that Llorente and Milik are both counting down the days until the bells chime and Napoli brings in the New Year in nine weeks’ time.

The former, a one-time Tottenham and Swansea City targetman, is due to become a free agent in July and should, therefore, be available for next to nothing in the winter.

Llorente spent a few months alongside Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli in the second half of 2019 and the Everton boss, who has already raided his former employers to sign Allan, could be tempted to offer a “complete forward” a fresh start at Goodison Park.

The 35-year-old would certainly represent a fine alternative to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Llorente’s 6ft 3in frame and infamous aerial ability means Everton would have little problems going about their business in the same direct style, regardless of who was leading the line.