Everton are now “very unlikely” to sign Newcastle United winger Yankuba Minteh amid strong interest from Lyon, according to Keith Downie.
Writing on his personal X account (24 June), the Sky Sports journalist reports that the Toffees and Magpies had been in talks about a £40million move for Dominic Calvert-Lewin with Minteh going in the opposite direction in a separate transaction [Fabrizio Romano, 24 June].
But a deal for Calvert-Lewin is now off, leaving a deal for Minteh up in the air too with Ligue 1 giants Lyon having tabled a bid for the attacker who spent last season on loan at Feyenoord [L’Equipe, 24 June].
Everton dealt big blow in race for Yankuba Minteh
It’s clear that several clubs in the Premier League are pushing to do business with each other to seal transfers and circumvent PSR breaches, so when it doesn’t work all the dominoes can fall too.
The deal with Aston Villa for Tim Iroegbunam allowed for them to then sign Lewis Dobbin for a very similar fee, and the plan was obviously for something very similar to happen with Newcastle for Minteh and Calvert-Lewin.
But with Newcastle deeming £37million for the striker as too expensive, it means a deal for Minteh can’t be done at a similar price for Everton as they won’t have the cash to get it over the line.
With European clubs like Lyon ready to match Newcastle’s asking price for the winger, they’re not in a rush to sell to the Toffees and can still bring the money in to sign a different striker instead.
Now Everton will have to find a new option for their wingers instead of Minteh, while also hoping that Calvert-Lewin either signs a new contract [Liverpool Echo, 31 May] or attracts more interest from elsewhere so they don’t lose out totally.
