Reported Everton target David Bates responds to Premier League links

Follow us on Google Discover

Everton are reportedly amongst the sides interested in signing David Bates after his brilliant start to life in Germany.

In comments reported by The Scottish Sun, David Bates has insisted that he has absolutely no intention of leaving Hamburg amid reports that Everton have him on their radar.

The Sunday Mirror (21/10; page 67) reported that the Toffees, Arsenal and Southampton were all sending scouts to watch the centre-back who left Rangers at the end of his contract in the summer. Watford and Leicester City were the other sides named.

Bates has enjoyed a brilliant start to his time in Germany. The 22-year-old has made 12 appearances in Bundesliga II this term and has forced his way into Scotland’s senior side in recent months.

But it appears that any Premier League sides hoping to sign Bates may have pull off something special or shelve any plans to make a move for the time-being as he insisted that he is not looking to go anywhere.

“Everyone in the world is watching the Premier League,” he said, as reported by The Scottish Sun. “It’s one of the best leagues in the world, probably the best.

“But why should I think about moving there now? I’m happy here. This season could not have gone any better for me.”

Everton will probably not feel that not signing Bates will be a blow right now. Marco Silva’s men boast the best defensive record of any side outside the top five in the Premier League.

But with the former Gers man clearly showing a lot of potential, it would probably not be a huge surprise if the Toffees decided to keep the youngster on their radar in case his circumstances change at some stage in the future.