Everton are looking to hand 19-year-old Beni Baningime a new deal in order to fend off Manchester United, who are reportedly interested in the youngster.
According to Daily Mail, Everton youngster Beni Baningime is being courted by Premier League heavyweights Manchester United, who are interested in the midfielder. And as per the report, the Toffees are set to hand the youngster a new deal in order to fend off interest from the Red Devils.
Beni Baningime is a 19-year-old midfielder and has emerged from the Toffees’ academy setup. The player is very highly-rated within the club and has impressed with his displays for the Under-23 side that lifted the Premier League 2 title last season. He has started the present season on a strong note as well, with a goal in a total of 7 appearances for the Under-23s.
And it is his displays that have caught the attention of Manchester United, who are taking a close look at the player, who has been compared to N’Golo Kante by David Unsworth, the Under-23 coach at Everton. It is also worth noting that the player can represent both Congo and England internationally but is yet to declare his choice.
Everton transfer news: Blues set to offer 19-year-old Beni Baningime new deal amid Manchester United interest https://t.co/0SnKpB88Yt pic.twitter.com/LRyjpsxque
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Baningime has recently been heralded as the winner of the Keith Tamlin award last season and had also been rewarded with a two-year professional deal last year. However, the contract is up for expiry at the end of the 2017-18 campaign – a deal Everton are keen to extend.
The player will be free to negotiate with non-British clubs from January 1 and will also be able to negotiate with the English clubs by the end of the season. With Manchester United interested, there is a real fear at Everton of the midfielder being poached by some other club, with the Red Devils top on the list.
Although, with the recent case of Jadon Sancho, who was signed by Borussia Dortmund, a foreign club may swoop in in January itself, if Everton do not extend Baningime’s deal before the start of the January transfer window.
Baningime will hope to be the next academy player to break through into the first-team setup under Ronald Koeman, who has already inducted Tom Davies into the setup with much success.
Everton are looking to tie the player down to a long-term deal and must hurry if they are to keep a hold of the 19-year-old, who looks like another highly-rated midfield prospect.