Newcastle United striker Yankuba Minteh is hellbent on joining Everton, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
In recent weeks, the Toffees have shown interest in signing the six-times capped Gambian international, but they couldn’t agree a deal with the Magpies.
Lyon have submitted a better offer, thought to be around £33.8 million, and Newcastle want Minteh to move to France by the end of this month. It will help them ease the financial burden and stay within the limits of PSR.
However, Di Marzio claims that Minteh “has not changed his mind” about joining Everton after he has secured a personal agreement with the Toffees.
Everton are close to signing Marseille attacking midfielder Iliman Ndiaye who is currently undergoing his medical in Merseyside. He will join Goodison Park on a five-year deal.
If Minteh refuses to join Lyon, Newcastle could be under tremendous pressure as they need to raise around £25 million in player sales this week.
Matt Hughes has claimed on 26 June that the player wants to stay in the Premier League after impressing heavily on loan at Feyenoord last season.
The Toffees have been very active in the summer transfer window so far, and they have secured two signings already. Ndiaye is all set to become their third summer signing unless there’s any major problem with his medical.
While Everton do like the exciting forward, doubts remain about whether they have the funds to secure his signature. Moreover, they won’t be able to offer the price Lyon are willing to pay at the moment.
In such a scenario, either Newcastle will have to convince the player that a move to Lyon is the best-case scenario for all parties involved, or they have to renegotiate a deal with Everton.
The Magpies have shown interest in signing Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin but the Toffees are not willing to sell him for anything less than £40 million.
