Lille are determined to keep Rafael Leao out of Everton’s clutches.
According to L’Equipe, Lille consider striker Rafael Leao ‘untransferable’ ahead of the summer transfer window, amid links to Everton.
Leao, 19, emerged with Sporting in his native Portugal, but decided to rescind his contract last summer after the players were attacked by their own fans at the club’s training ground.
A host of big clubs were linked with Leao, but he chose a move to Lille instead, deciding to go and play regular first-team football rather than sit on the sidelines at a ‘bigger’ club.
Leao his racked up eight goals and three assists in 23 appearances for Lille this season, and his performances are once again attracting interest.
The Liverpool Echo claim that Leao is on Marcel Brands’ shortlist at Everton, with the Toffees prepared to spend big to bring a new striker to Goodison Park this summer.
However, L’Equipe state that Lille consider Leao ‘untransferable’, and will block any attempts to purchase him this summer, which may leave Everton scrambling for other options.
Everton may still be wise to throw money at Lille for their talented striker, but with Nicolas Pepe seemingly on the move, it’s understandably why they don’t want to lose Leao too.
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