Everton reach decision on future of 33-year-old after reported interest
By Dominic Toner
Everton are prepared to allow Arouna Kone to leave the club after reported interest in January.
The Toffees manager Ronald Koeman has revealed that Kone could leave before Tuesday nights 11pm cut-off point for the January window.
“It is possible he will leave,” Koeman said as quoted by the Echo. “I don’t know (if it will be before the window), he is training and doing well but he likes to play… we have used other player than Arouna. I have had some offers for him.”
The Echo claim that the 33-year-old will be allowed to leave Goodison Park in the January transfer window after falling down the pecking order.
It is understood that the Toffees have received offers for the striker, including an enquiry from Championship club QPR.
Kone moved to Goodison Park in 2013 and has played a bit-part role since Koeman joined in the summer.
The forward has made just six appearances this season and featured just three times off the bench in the Premier League.
He has found himself down the pecking order this campaign, with Romelu Lukaku and Enner Valencia the preferred options.
Kone has made 59 appearances for the Merseyside club and scored 10 goals in return, but may have played his last game for Everton if he can force a January move away.
Football Insider verdict:
Kone clearly has no future at Goodison Park and allowing the 33-year-old to leave is the right thing to do. He is a hard working player and has been a good servant for the Toffees, but Koeman is rebuilding his squad. The Dutch manager is keen to introduce some youngsters to his squad and has introduced the likes of Tom Davies, Mason Holgate, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ademola Lookman. Kone has not been able to dislodge Belgian Lukaku, who is one of the most clincial finishers in the Premier League. Kone could still do a job at a Premier League rival, or perhaps play a major role for a Championship club in the second half of the season.
In other Everton transfer news, the club have submitted a bid for an 18-year-old rising star.
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