Merseyside giants Everton have reportedly failed with their loan-to-buy offer for 25-year-old Burnley attacker Maxwel Cornet.
According to The Sun, Everton have fallen short in their efforts to land Ivory Coast international Maxwel Cornet from Championship outfit Burnley this summer.
The 25-year-old came through the ranks at Metz before moving to Lyon in 2015. Cornet moved to Turf Moor last summer and was among the standout players in what was a forgettable season for the Clarets.
Cornet was Burnley’s best attacker last season, topping their scoring charts with nine strikes. It was unfortunately not enough for him to keep them up in the English top flight. The 25-year-old can, however, return to the Premier League should Everton land their man.
The Toffees escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth and require reinforcement to avoid another relegation dogfight next season. To add to their woes, star striker Richarlison left Everton to join Tottenham Hotspur, leaving a huge void in their squad. With Dominic Calvert-Lewin struggling and Anthony Gordon still having much to learn, the Merseyside club’s attack lacks serious firepower.
Everton are keen to replace the Brazilian with Cornet but are only ready to take him on a loan. They are ready to make the deal permanent should they stay up beyond 2022/23. The fact that the Toffees believe their chances of survival are even debatable should be a red flag for fans going into the new season.
Burnley have rejected Everton’s offer but are ready to sell the player should their demands be met. The Clarets are seeking £18 million for the 25-year-old attacker. If their demands are met, the Championship outfit are keen to reinvest the cash back into their squad across multiple positions.
Cornet has also attracted attention from several other Premier League clubs but is partial to a move to Goodison Park. The ball is now in Everton’s court, and the onus to meet it lies with them. With the 2022/23 campaign drawing near, Everton cannot afford to waste time in negotiations and should show more impetus in landing their transfer targets.
Lampard and Everton showed fight towards the end of the 2021/22 campaign, but the lack of quality within the squad was visible. Unless they reinforce the current playing roster, the Everton fans could be in for another long season where relegation might prove to be a real danger.