What The Papers Say - 16 February

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

France Football reckons Everton will renew efforts to sign Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot in the summer.

Rabiot was given his senior Paris Saint-Germain debut as a 17-year-old by Carlo Ancelotti back in August 2012.

And it is said Everton boss Ancelotti has told the Club’s Board his former player is worth more than the €30m it would cost to bring him from Italy.

Rabiot, 25, swapped PSG for Serie A in July 2019 and has played 64 times for the Turin team.

France international left-back Lucas Digne has told RMC Sport in his homeland that Ancelotti is the “centrepiece of the Everton project”.

“That players like James Rodríguez or Allan have come isn’t random,” continued Digne.

“It’s because of him…  it’s amazing to be able to work with a great manager like him, who has won so many trophies and who, on a human level, is very close to the players.

“He’s super professional, demanding, but also knows when to be relaxed and calm. He manages to oversee a squad in an incredible manner."

The Daily Mirror is among a number of outlets reporting on Everton’s proposed new Bramley-Moore Dock home following an update from CEO Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale on Monday.

Professor Barrett-Baxendale disclosed the Liverpool City Council hearing to decide on Everton’s planning application for the stadium will happen next Tuesday [23 February].

A report by the City Council’s Planning Officer, published on Monday, “is recommending that the Committee approves our plans”, said Professor Barrett-Baxendale.

The Mirror views that development as Everton “passing over a key hurdle”, anticipating the city council “rubber-stamping” plans and the project moving to its final approval phase at Government level.

The Liverpool Echo’s take on Professor Barrett-Baxendale’s announcement is that “Everton… took a giant, Yerry Mina-sized step forward” in their stadium plans.

“What is becoming overwhelmingly clear,” continued the Echo report, “is that the heritage concerns which some feared may harm Everton's application are now fading fast.”

Sky Sports, meanwhile, claims Norwich City will demand between £30-35m for mooted Everton target Max Aarons.

Right-back Aarons, 21, has played every minute of table-topping Norwich’s Championship campaign and featured 36 times in the Premier League last term.

The England Under-21 player is said to have additional interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester United.

Various Scottish outlets feature quotes from Everton defender Jonjoe Kenny, who is currently on loan with Celtic.

Kenny has helped the Parkhead club to four straight wins since joining on a deal until the end of the season last month.

Ahead of Celtic’s meeting with Aberdeen on Wednesday, he said: “I’m loving every moment of my time here.

“I’ve come here to play football with a great set of lads and the manager’s [Neil Lennon] been brilliant for me.

“Aberdeen will be tough… but we move on to Wednesday and, hopefully, we’ll get another win.”