The agent of reported Everton target Yankuba Minteh said the player had agreed personal details with an unnamed club.
The Newcastle United winger is highly-sought after following an impressive loan spell at Feyenoord last season. Marseille, Borussia Dortmund and Roma – who could become Everton’s sister club should the Italian giants’ owner Dan Friedkin complete a deal for the Blues – are understood to be among the interested parties.
The player’s agent has now said the ball is in Newcastle’s court after claiming the 19-year-old has agreed terms with an unnamed club.
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Bakary Bojang told the ECHO’s sister paper Chronicle Live on Saturday: “It is correct that Newcastle are willing to sell the player if they receive a good offer. From our side if Newcastle wants to sell and the sporting project is good we will definitely look at it. We are in communication with some clubs… I can’t confirm clubs who are in communication with us. We have agreed terms with one of the clubs. So now the rest is with Newcastle.”
His comments came against the backdrop of Newcastle’s enquiry over Calvert-Lewin. Last month the ECHO reported on Eddie Howe’s interest in the 27-year-old and that has now developed into an approach, though interest is thought to be at an early stage at this point and other clubs are also weighing up whether to make a move for him.
Calvert-Lewin is considering a new contract offer but will enter the final 12 months of his deal should he choose not to sign it, making this the last summer in which Everton could seek a significant price for the striker.
The emergence of Everton as a potential contender for Minteh came as a consequence. It would be reliant on the current interest growing into a firm move for Calvert-Lewin because Newcastle’s £40m price tag would take Everton out of the running in normal circumstances. But both clubs have concerns over their position in regards to Profit and Sustainability Regulations and reciprocal deals could allow them to add marquee signings while also strengthening their position in relation to the regulations.
The threat of PSR prosecutions is playing a heavy role in the early summer transfer activity as has already been seen in relation to Everton, who signed Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa on Saturday. Villa are understood to be close to a deal for Blues wide player Lewis Dobbin. While both deals will help the clubs on the pitch, should Dobbin complete a move then the process would also have bolstered both teams’ hopes of staying within financial parameters.
Any sale of Calvert-Lewin is loaded with risk for Everton. The striker overcame seasons of fitness problems last year to become a regular feature of Dyche’s side and finished the campaign with a flurry of crucial goals. Firepower was an issue for the Blues and Calvert-Lewin is a player of the quality and experience Everton would struggle to replace in the transfer market.
The equation for Dyche and director of football Kevin Thelwell is complicated by his contract position though. And a winger of Minteh’s promise would certainly help Everton should a deal become possible as part of talks over Calvert-Lewin. Dyche’s limited wide options diminished further at the end of the season with the expiration of the loan deals for Jack Harrison and Arnaut Danjuma. Everton are well advanced in their efforts to secure a return from Leeds United for Harrison but Dyche would still be keen for extra options to support him and Dwight McNeil, particularly should Dobbin leave. Minteh would be a valuable acquisition on that front.