Director of Football Marcel Brands seemingly has the perfect opportunity to add £14.8million to our transfer budget, as Goal understands Newcastle United and Southampton have opened talks with the Toffees to sign Yannick Bolasie.
The Lyon-born winger is thought to be valued at £7million by the club after being deemed surplus to requirements, but offloading his £75,000-a-week contract – which has two years to run – would add a further £7.8million to our budget, which could then go towards paying the wages of someone who will actually improve Marco Silva’s squad next term.
If the Magpies or Saints baulk at the 29-year-old’s wage, or our asking price, however, all hope of selling the Ronald Koeman signing is not lost, as Istanbul-based Super Lig rivals Galatasaray and Besiktas are both thought to be keen on the DR Congo international.
LOSC Lille are said to have entered discussions with the 35-cap winger’s camp, too, as they look at players who could add depth to Christophe Galtier’s squad ahead of their return to the Champions League.
Despite his struggles on Merseyside after a cruciate ligament rupture, interest in Bolasie is growing, as his time on loan with RSC Anderlecht since January has been a moderate success.
In 15 appearances – across the regular Jupiler Pro League and Play-Offs – the 6ft forward has four goals and three assists. He also struck two in 21 during his half-season on loan with Villa, before cutting ties with the Birmingham-based side in the winter.