Marcel Brands appears to rubbish Ademola Lookman exit talk

Everton Director of Football Marcel Brands appears to have poured cold water on the possibility of Ademola Lookman leaving Everton this summer.

Lookman departed Goodison Park in the January transfer window, electing to join RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on loan in search for regular first team football.

He got just that with the German side, making 11 appearances in the league and scoring five goals and registering three assists in that time.

That form impressed Leipzig, who are thought to be keen on turning his move into a permanent one this summer.

Such links have led to worry among Evertonians that the club are set to lose Lookman as a result of his becoming disillusioned under the previous regime but Brands’ latest comments should provide hope.

”I can be clear in that because I know the player very well.

”He was on my list at PSV (to sign). He is a very talented young player and I think he has to be moved up next year (to the first team squad).”

These latest remarks not only suggest that Brands rates Lookman highly, particularly if he wanted to take him to Holland, but that he has also made as much clear to Marco Silva.

Furthermore, suggesting he will be moved up to the first team squad next season not only suggests that they are planning to keep up and use him but also give Lookman the playing time he is craving.

That is good news for Everton with Lookman providing the kind of pace and running power that was sorely missing for most of last season.

It is now up to the 20-year-old to replicate his Bundesliga form in the Premier League and prove Brands’ belief in him is justified.