Everton have rejected a second offer from RB Leipzig for their winger Ademola Lookman, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper’s transfer blog (at 12.39pm) reports that the Bundesliga outfit – who finished sixth in Germany’s top flight last season – made a second bid of £14 million plus add-ons, but the Toffees were not satisfied with the improved offer made by the Germans.
Everton are set to hang on to the 20-year-old until his suitors meet the price tag £20 million, where they would then reportedly consider letting him go.
Leipzig are said to be seeking to sign Lookman on a permanent basis, after he impressed for them while on loan in the second half of last season.
OPINION
It looks as though Everton are playing hard ball with Lookman’s Bundesliga suitors, and are holding out for their ideal valuation of £20 million. However, it remains to be seen whether Lookman is worth the price tag they have slapped on his head, especially if he only mustered five goals from his left-wing position for the duration of his loan spell. He may have the potential to be a fantastic player, but he is certainly not worth that amount of money. Everton are evidently trying to cash in on him, which is a wise move if they want to reinvest the funds in more players. Nevertheless, the higher they value Lookman, the more it will put Leipzig off – and this may result in the German club looking elsewhere for a cheaper alternative. At this rate, they will be hanging onto Lookman, and he will be just another player on the wage bill.