According to L’Equipe, Everton talent Fraser Hornby is nearing a permanent move to French side Stade de Reims.
It’s claimed that Reims are set to strike a deal worth just €2million (£1.8million). Everton seem happy to let Hornby go permanent, having loaned him out this season.
The Scot joined Belgian side Kortrijk on loan for the season, and he has bagged four goals and one assist in 14 first-team games.
Hornby has shown promise, and Reims – who have worked the transfer market brilliantly in recent years – have seen enough to sign him.
Everton landed Hornby from Northampton Town in 2014, and had high hopes for the bustling striker, but he made just one first-team appearance.
Hornby, a physical 6ft 2in striker, had been compared to Everton legend Duncan Ferguson. Hornby even tackled these comparisons in 2018, admitting to The Scottish Sun that he would want just half the career ‘Big Dunc’ had.
It now seems that Hornby will have to leave Everton in order to progress. Fans may be a little disappointed to see him go, given his impressive record for Scotland’s Under-21’s.
Still, if Everton had no first-team plans for him, they’re better off cashing in. They’ll no doubt have a sell-on clause in the deal, just in case Hornby does end up becoming Ferguson Mark II in France.
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