Everton and Derby County are reportedly battling for Manchester City’s Lukas Nmecha.
Lukas Nmecha of England in action with Domingos Quina of Portugal
According to The Sun, Everton are interested in raiding Manchester City for youngster Lukas Nmecha, with his contract running down.
The Toffees have brought in Sam Allardyce as their new manager, and whilst he picked up a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town in his first game in charge, he will still be looking for new signings in January.
Whilst Allardyce will be focusing on first-team additions to boost his chances of survival, director of football Steve Walsh may look for future stars, as he did over the summer in Lewis Gibson and Dennis Adeniran, among others.
Lukas Nmecha of England celebrates scoring
The Sun now report that Everton want to raid Premier League rivals Manchester City, with a bid for forward Lukas Nmecha in 2018.
Nmecha, 18, was born in Germany but has been an England youth international, and is highly rated at the Etihad Stadium having featured prominently in City’s ‘Elite Development Squad’.
The striker – who can also play out wide – is out of contract at the end of the season though, and Everton may now hope to lure him away from City next summer – and believe he could be tempted into a move.
Walsh is allegedly pulling the strings on Everton’s interest, believing that Nmecha can be a star of the future, though his age means that the Toffees would have to pay compensation for him even when his contract ends, whether by tribunal or by agreeing a deal with City.
The report notes that Derby County are also interested, but Everton are confident that they lead the race for Nmecha’s signature, should the teenage striker leave City next summer.
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