In-demand Belgium-based attacker Henry Onyekuru will sign for Everton after undergoing a medical at the club on Monday, according to a reliable journalist.
HLN correspondent Kristof Terreur, who covers the Premier League for the Belgian newspaper, took to Twitter on Tuesday lunchtime to report that KAS Eupen’s Onyekuru is set to become Everton’s third signing of the summer.
Terreur reported on his personal Twitter account that it is a “done deal” but there is a twist as the 19-year-old will not be available for selection to manager Ronald Koeman next season.
Onyekuru, who had an entry visa for the UK but not a work permit, will immediately go out on loan to Belgian champions Anderlecht as he continues his development.
Done deal. Loaned from Everton to Anderlecht.
— Kristof Terreur ???? (@HLNinEngeland) June 27, 2017
Henry Onyekuru underwent a medical at Everton yesterday. Will go on loan to Anderlecht. He had a entry visa for UK, not a real work permit. pic.twitter.com/mRuH7LRQ3O
— Kristof Terreur ???? (@HLNinEngeland) June 27, 2017
The teenage Nigerian has emerged as one of the most in-demand players in his adopted homeland after his performances in the second half of the recent domestic season.
Operating predominantly from a wide left role, the versatile forward scored 24 goals from 41 appearances in all competitions for KAS Eupen, and also weighed in with nine assists.
He ended the campaign in especially sensational form, scoring 10 goals in 10 play-off matches, including six from the last four games of the season, to top the Belgium scoring charts.
Arsenal and West Ham have also been strongly linked with signing him, with reports stating they have held extensive talks for the £8million-rated youngster, but it appears that Everton have now won the race.
Onyekuru has previously revealed that he has an agreement with Eupen that he will leave them in the summer transfer window after attracting the attention from some of the Premier League’s top sides.
The teenager has scored 30 goals and provided 11 assists in 60 appearances across all competitions since joining Eupen in 2015 from the Aspire Academy.
Everton have also been strongly linked with the signing of Spain-based forward Sandro Ramirez but there have been reports that Real Madrid are trying to hijack the deal,