Oumar Niasse looked on his way out of Everton this summer after poor form in 2018/19 and subsequently being made available for sale by Marco Silva. The 29-year-old looked finished at Goodison Park after failing to score a single goal for Everton or Cardiff City (loan) last season, but Silva has given the £55k-per-week centre-forward one last to chance to impress in pre-season.
Niasse was given 45 minutes against Kariobangi Sharks on July 7, FC Sion on July 14 and a full 90 minutes against AS Monaco on July 19. The Senegalese international had a £10m asking price, but no club appeared willing to match Everton’s valuation – Niasse failed to score in seven appearances for the Toffees last season and 13 appearances for Cardiff. Silva has since awkwardly brought him back into the first-team, however.
The striker’s last goal came for Everton against West Ham United on May 13, 2018, and his stock has fallen ever since. But Silva’s inability to find a new striker this summer has forced him to consider internal solutions. Niasse and Cenk Tosun were expected to be replaced, but both players are still at Goodison Park with the new season just weeks away. Time will tell if Silva sticks with Niasse in 2019/20.