What The Papers Say – 25 November

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.

Everton are keen on Villarreal attacker Samuel Chukwueze, according to Wednesday’s edition of Spanish publication La Razon.

Chukwueze, a Nigeria international teammate of Everton forward Alex Iwobi, moved to Villarreal from the Diamond Football Academy in his homeland in 2017.

The 21-year-old reportedly has a mass of suitors – Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea, among them – after a string of influential performances for his high-flying La Liga side.

Everton are “willing to bid” for Chukwueze, says the report, which adds the player has a £71m release clause in his Villarreal contract.

The same paper, meanwhile, insists Everton retain an interest in Real Madrid midfielder Isco.

Carlo Ancelotti refused to be drawn on potential new year business when quizzed about Isco last week.

But La Razon reckons the Everton manager could be tempted to move for the 28-year-old in January to fend off supposed competitors for Isco’s signature Sevilla.

The player’s father and agent Paco Alarcon added to speculation his son’s future lies abroad by telling Spanish radio station El Larguero: “Right now we have not received offers but he wants to try another league.”

A third Spain-based player linked with Everton is Yunus Musah, the 17-year-old Valencia winger.

USA international Musah made his senior debut in September following a move from Arsenal 12 months earlier.

Everton like Musah, claims website 90min, and are joined by Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and former club Arsenal in keeping tabs on the player.

Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles has told The Getting Messi Podcast he was close to an Everton move nearly a decade ago.

The 27-year-old emerged with Nottingham Forest and revealed he had solid interest from both Arsenal and Everton aged 18.

On the link with Goodison Park, Lascelles said: “The Everton thing, I actually went to the Everton training ground and had a look around and stuff.

“They were interested. I am not sure why it didn’t happen but they were interested as well. As a kid, there has always been paper talk and speculation.”