Toffees Striker Talks About Future at Goodison Park as Galatasaray Linked With Swoop
Oumar Niasse has opened up about his Everton future as he prepares to return to the club ahead of pre-season.
The Senegalese striker was quoted in the Liverpool Echo as he refused to confirm whether he would be staying or going.
He revealed that he had received no word from the club’s hierarchy about retaining his services or not before going on to talk about rumours of a move across Europe.
Niasse is one of a number of first-team Toffees stars whose futures at Goodison Park are up in the air.
New boss Marco Silva and director of football Marcel Brands are ready to cull some high earners to reduce the size of the senior squad.
Niasse and Silva worked together during the latter’s six-month spell in charge of Hull City in the second half of the 2016/17 campaign.
It is thought that Niasse’s form for the Tigers, which saw him score five goals in 19 appearances on loan, may see him given a stay of execution by the Portuguese gaffer.
However, Niasse’s alleged £55,000-a-week wages may be too tempting an offer to consider keeping him on Merseyside.
Everton had been expected to struggle to find a club that would be willing to stump up Niasse’s wages, particularly if he asks for a pay rise as part of a transfer away.
Reports in Eastern Europe have, however, linked the 28-year-old with a move back to Turkey with giants Galatasaray – although Niasse was coy on the speculation when quizzed on it.
Niasse bagged 12 goals in 27 matches last term for the Blues after he came out from the cold under previous manager Ronald Koeman.
His match-winning brace against Bournemouth, alongside key strikes against Watford, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion saw him become a cult hero on the Goodison terraces.
Niasse, though, faces stern competition from Cenk Tosun and Dominic Calvert-Lewin for a spot in the matchday squad.
He is likely to find himself third in the striking pecking order next season, and could fall even further if reinforcement are signed.
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It may be in his best interests, then, to find a new club and reignite his career away from Everton.