Silva maintains Lookman will be staying

Everton manager Marco Silva has reiterated winger Ademola Lookman will not be leaving the club.

Lookman spent the second half of last season on loan at German club RB Leipzig, and has constanly been linked with a permanent move back to the Bundesliga side this summer.

With the transfer window in Germany shutting later today, Silva, speaking ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Huddersfield Town, reaffirmed his belief that Lookman will be part of his plans.

After not featuring for the Blues so far this season, partly due to a niggling groin injury, Silva also confirmed that Lookman has recovered is available for Saturday’s match. He said:

“Now, he is fit, yes. He [will] meet with the team tomorrow and met this morning.

“Of course, [he will] stay in our plans. He is our player and he has to work to take his position in our squad.”

Silva seemed to express a sense of annoyance at being asked about the player’s future again, having faced similar questions in almost every pre-match press conference so far this campaign. He added:

“I do not like to talk every day, every press conference about him. I already told you about him and what I believe about his qualities and skills as well as a player. Our decision is already made as well.”

Since his £11.5 million move from Charlton Athletic in January 2017, Lookman has struggled for game time at Goodison Park, making just 24 appearances for the Toffees and scoring three goals.

But with fellow wingers Richarlison and Bernard sidelined through suspension and injury respectively, Lookman may find opportunities more forthcoming in the next few weeks, starting with Saturday’s game against the Terriers.