Everton product Fraser Hornby has spoken with KV Kortrijk head coach Yves Vanderhaeghe over a potential move to the Belgian Jupiler Pro League side, according to Het Laatste Nieuws.
Hornby has been given permission by the Toffees to seek a temporary transfer away from Merseyside this summer, with a move into Europe or dropping down to League One or League Two now his only options following the closure of the transfer window to Premier League and Championship sides.
Speculation during the week suggested a number of Football League and Scottish Premiership outfits had sought to sound out the potential of a deal, but Kortrijk leapt to the front of the queue, and have now spoken with the 6 ft 3 striker.
Brussels-based HLN do not suggest whether the discussions between Hornby and Kortrijk head coach Vanderhaeghe were received in a positive light by either side, but De Kerels are understood to be keen on concluding the likely one-season move.
Everton were confident we would be able to sign off on the deal by the end of the week, according to the previous claims of Kortrijk’s interest, but Hornby’s move to Belgian may now be on hold until next week, ruling the striker out of the Guldensporen Stadion natives trip to Standard Liege on Sunday.
Hornby is yet to open his account in the Premier League 2 under David Unsworth this season, but struck a 6-goal campaign last term – five scored, one assisted in 16 games – as the Blues’ U23s lifted the youth title.
First-team football at Goodison Park under Marco Silva would not be expected this season, however; therefore the club are keen to see the Northampton-born 19-year-old secure a loan move where he will earn minutes in a senior side.