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What The Papers Say - 1 October

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

The Daily Mail reports that Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek will seek a move away from the club in the January transfer window with a move to Everton a possibility.

There had been reports in the final days of the summer transfer window that the Blues had opened discussions with the player's agent, however, sources claim Ole Gunnar Solskjær wanted to keep the Dutchman a part of his squad and refused to sanction the move.

The 24-year-old has featured three times this season, playing just six minutes of Premier League football.

Should a move be possible in January, Everton are reportedly first in line for his signature, but it is believed it would initially only be a six-month loan deal.

The Liverpool Echo heaps praise on French midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure in their latest Everton-focussed podcast. 

The 28-year-old has five goal contributions already this season (two goals, three assists) and the podcasters discuss how the midfielder has been crucial for Rafa Benitez's side this season.

"He's absolutely top class, he's everywhere isn't he?" Dave Prentice stated on the show. "He's fast becoming probably the most important member of the team I would think, possibly more so than Demarai Gray or Andros Townsend.

"He's so important in driving the team forward and tracking back, and he's actually getting on the end of things now. The manager has said he's given him a goals target this season, and he's already well on the way to whittling that down!"

Football writer Connor O'Neill adds: "This year he's gone up another level. He's getting on the end of things, he's creating things.

"We look at the goals obviously but the assist for Demarai Gray against Burnley, that ball cut the back line out completely.

"For me he's become a real focal point of the team now. The big thing moving forward is that he's becoming someone the opposition will have to mark, he'll become a marked man.

"In turn, that could free up other attacking players to come to life because I think in the past we've been one dimensional, we've had one standout forward player. If you look after them, Everton won't do any damage.

"Now, with Doucoure playing, it's another headache for the opposition to think about. You look one way and he's in front of the back four, the next minute he's the furthest forward.

"You've got to give credit to Benitez for getting the best out of him."

Meanwhile, Burnley winger Dwight McNeil has commented on the reported interest from Everton for him over the summer.

There had been reports claiming the Club were keen on signing the 21-year-old who claims there had been no contact with or his agent on a move.

Quoted on Sky Sports News McNeil said: “I heard it, but nothing came about it.

"When I asked my agents the question, they hadn’t heard anything."