Bassala Sambou looks on his way out of Everton after rejecting the chance to stay at Goodison Park due to a lack of opportunities at senior level – a decision some supporters can empathise with. The 21-year-old wants first-team football next season and could have offers to weigh up from clubs in the German Bundesliga and Dutch Eredivisie.
Sambou impressed for the u23s last season, scoring and creating 11 goals in 22 games in the Premier League 2, but doesn’t look likely to get a chance in the first-team due to stiff competition from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Cenk Tosun and Richarlison. And with Everton looking to sign another centre-forward this summer, Sambou’s hopes of playing time in 2019/20 could be further diminished.
The German striker joined Everton from Coventry City in 2016 and has yet to make an appearance at senior level. He’s featured 60 times for the reserves, contributing 25 goals, and now feels he needs to push on for the sake of his development. Everton tried to keep Sambou at Goodison, but they ultimately weren’t able to give him what he wanted to stay.
Fans aren’t begrudging his decision, but he may be a loss for Everton given his impressive scoring record for the u23s.