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In-demand Everton ace’s future still a doubt despite £16.2m man rejecting potential move – opinion

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Henry Onyekuru’s Everton future is still very much in doubt, despite his agent Guillaume Costet-Barmada telling Sport24 that his client rejected a potential move to CSKA Moscow.

The Russian Super League side recently acquired Nikola Vlasic from us for approximately £14million, but looked to complete a double raid on Merseyside to add his never-seen teammate to Viktor Goncharenko’s ranks.

Onyekuru does not appear to have been interested in taking the same path the Croatian took though, with Costet-Barmada stating the winger brought a halt to negotiations.

“We had an offer from CSKA, but the player [Onyekuru] decided to refuse the Moscow club,” he said.

The Nigerian forward has been a highly in-demand talent this summer, with chances of the 22-year-old finally landing the UK work permit that has so far prevented the Super Eagles international from making his long-awaited Toffees debut continually looking slim.

Onyekuru must play at least 75% of his countries fixtures across a two-year period to become eligible. However, he featured just once in this summer’s Africa Cup of Nations as Nigeria secured third-place – coming on as a late substitute in the Semi-Final defeat to Algeria.

He would have needed to feature in each of his countries fixtures to stand a realistic chance of obtaining a UK work permit, making it highly likely that the 2017 arrival from KAS Eupen will not be taking to Goodison Park next term.

Galatasaray have been widely touted as a potential destination for Onyekuru following a successful season together during the 2018/19 campaign, and the Super Lig side can only afford to take the forward on loan once more.

Other potential suitors like Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich have both been linked with permanent moves for the £16.2million-valued 22-year-old, while Napoli appeared on the 10-cap ace’s radar earlier in July.

But other Italian outlets immediately rubbished Napoli’s alleged £14.45million bid the moment it emerged, leaving the Serie A side’s interest as doubtful as Onyekuru earning a UK work permit.

The Nigerian featured in 44 of Galatasaray’s fixtures across all competitions during his term at the Turk Telekom Arena, scoring 16 goals and assisting a further six.

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