Sources: Niels Nkounkou in line for Everton recall
Niels Nkounkou is set to be given the chance to resurrect his Everton career this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The 22-year-old is currently on loan in the French second tier with Saint-Etienne, who he joined in January after a proposed season-long stay with Cardiff City was cut short.
And he has caught the eye with his performances in recent weeks, producing a return of four assists and one goal from his last five outings.
That has led to suggestions that Saint-Etienne could trigger the option to buy included in the agreement that saw Nkounkou make a mid-season move back to his homeland.
However, sources have described the permanent fee negotiated by Everton as “relatively high” – a reflection of their desire to see him realise his potential at Goodison Park.
Should the figures involved put Saint-Etienne off as expected, Nkounkou will be given every chance to impress new manager Sean Dyche this summer.
The Englishman deployed Vitaliy Mykolenko at left-back in each of his first five games in charge prior to the Ukrainian missing out on last weekend’s trip to Nottingham Forest with illness.
However, a vacancy is still likely to open up in that position over the summer, with Ruben Vinagre expected to return to Sporting Lisbon following a disappointing loan stint.
The Portuguese has managed just 24 minutes of Premier League action since moving to Merseyside on a temporary deal in July.
As such, the role of back-up next season could initially fall to Nkounkou, who has previously found first-team action hard to come by at Goodison Park.
The Frenchman has made just seven senior appearances since joining the club from Marseille on a free transfer in the summer of 2020.
He will be out of contract in 2024 having signed an extension to his deal before joining Saint-Etienne.
Meanwhile, Everton are ready to return for Southampton ace Che Adams in the summer window.