Everton appear to be looking to send Shani Tarashaj back out on loan for the new campaign, with the Liverpool Echo noting the 24-year-old’s future looks set to be away from Merseyside.
The five-time Switzerland international is due to make his return to Finch Farm on July 1, when the bulk of the Toffees first-team return for pre-season training. Those involved in international duty following the end of the domestic season have been offered an extended break, though, with the likes of Jordan Pickford and Michael Keane not due back at the start of the month.
Tarashaj has not featured on the international stage since making a one-minute-long substitute appearance against Romania during a Euro 2016 Group Stage tie, with his career nose-diving in the years which followed his seven-figure arrival on Merseyside.
According to the BBC, the club spent close to £3million in January 2016 to sign a then U21 international regular, who had scored eight goals in 18 games for Grasshoppers that season at the time of his signing.
Former boss Roberto Martinez spoke about his delight at unearthing a young player the club could develop, but it was Ronald Koeman who gave the Hausen am Albis-born forward his Toffees debut, albeit in a pre-season friendly.
Loan spells with Eintracht Frankfurt and again with Grasshoppers have meant the 5 ft 7 flop has still not made his competitive Blues breakthrough appearance, and his recent campaign returned one goal in 12 appearances, totalling 413 minutes.
Tarashaj now has one year remaining on the £15,000-a-week contract he penned upon his arrival at Goodison Park, but is unlikely to spend the remaining twelve-months on Merseyside if a potential suitor comes forward offering to take him off our hands for the term.
It would mean Everton take a financial hit, given his torrid form while on loan with Grasshoppers will struggle to attract many potential suitors who are actually willing to pay vast sums for someone free to move on in a years time unattached.
He has certainly done nothing to warrant the club handing him a new deal to avoid the threat of his exit next summer, and it would be somewhat amazing if he were to wear Royal Blue this pre-season, even with Oumar Niasse likely going to be the only injury-free recognised senior centre-forward when training commences.