Tottenham and Crystal Palace eye Ademola Lookman transfer from Everton back to London in January
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Everton will reject any attempt to prise their teenage sensation Ademola Lookman out of Goodison Park.
Tottenham and Crystal Palace have both expressed an interest in the young star, who was a sub for England Under-21s in Friday's match against their Scotland counterparts.
Lookman was been virtually ignored by the Blues ' boss Ronald Koeman this season, despite having made an instant impact in the top flight when he moved to Merseyside from third-tier Charlton for a record £10million last January.
And that has sparked suggestions the two London clubs will move when the window reopens in the new year, in an attempt to capitalise on his lack of game time or profile with the struggling Merseysiders.
(Image: Getty)
Sources at the club though, suggest there is NO chance the player will be allowed to leave, with the coaching staff convinced the forward will blossom into a huge Premier League star.
Koeman is under real pressure at Everton, and his reaction has been to ignore some of the younger players at the club, with another teenage star Tom Davies also given limited opportunities this season.
There has been some criticism from Blues fans that the manager has put too much faith in his summer signings, and not invested enough interest in the youth at the club.
(Image: PA Wire)
Yet behind the scenes, regardless of Koeman’s attitude, there is huge faith from the club in both Lookman and Davies, and they are seen as part of the bright future at Goodison.
Lookman signed a four and half year contract less than 12 months ago, and the player who became the most expensive signing from League One in history has been given reassurances he will get plenty of opportunities as he progresses.
(Image: FIFA via Getty)
Speaking at a club sponsor event on Friday, Everton’s former record signing Yannick Bolasie insisted the players believe pacy Lookman will progress this season and break through into the first team.
Like the 19-year-old, Bolasie grew up in London and came through youth football in the city, before he was eventually spotted by Palace.
He said: “I’ve been supporting him, I know him and where he has come up through the non-League system as well so I’ve tried to guide him and build his confidence so he’s ready to take his chance when it comes.
“I would be very surprised if he wasn’t in the team doing well at some point this season – he studies the games well and looks at how he can make an impact and I’m really looking forward to seeing him play.
“When his chance comes, he needs to be ready to take it and I’m sure he will.”