Everton could be forced to sell Morgan Schneiderlin for as little as £7 million this summer with Nice reluctant to break the bank for a midfielder who will be a free agent in 12 months’ time, according to The Mail.
It is hard to believe now that, not so long ago, an inconsistent Frenchman was one of the most reliable and influential players in the whole of the Premier League.
Schneiderlin had played a bigger role than most as Southampton soared from the depths of League One to the top-flight in the blinking of an eye but, ever since making that ill-fated move to Manchester United in 2015, he has looked a shadow of his former self.
The 30-year-old has started just 12 league games all season for Everton.
And with the likes of Adrien Rabiot, Gaetano Castrovilli and Lorenzo Pellegrini having been linked with a move to Goodison Park in recent times, Schneiderlin will surely fall even further down the pecking order if he elects to stay and see out his contract at Merseyside.
As it stands, however, the smart money is on Schneiderlin being sold before he enters free agency.
The Mail reports that Nice want to bring the 15-cap Frenchman back home. But despite being bankrolled by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Riviera club are only willing to pay £7 million.
That would see Everton make a £17 million loss on a player they bought for £24 million.
But £7 million is still better than nothing and, as the Mail points out, they are waiting for offers.
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