Winger accepts he has to leave Everton

UPDATE - Middlesbrough Tony Pulis has ruled out a move for Bolasie, whilst Crystal Palace are set to sign winger Bakary Sako, which would likely also rule out a deal for the Everton man.

Yannick Bolasie has accepted he has no future at Everton and will seek a loan move before the end of the window.

The 29-year-old made a surprise return to Finch Farm earlier this week after exercising a break clause in his loan contract at Aston Villa.

Initial reports suggested Bolasie was ready to try and force his way into Marco Silva’s first-team plans, perhaps not that outrageous given the pitiful performances from the side lately.

However, the Daily Mail report that Silva has told the Congolese winger he will not be considered for the rest of the season so would be better off finding a new club.

Silva said:

“For sure, he knows [he won’t play]. I took that decision last summer because I realised that it would be difficult for him to get the minutes he wants.

“At that moment, it was difficult for him because he lost 2-3 weeks again due to his knee in pre-season and when we took the decision [to let him leave on loan] we expect the player to go and play. Let’s see if he can do it here or at a different club.”

Former club Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Bolasie and he is believed to prefer a move to Selhurst Park. Championship side Middlesbrough, where Mo Besic is currently on loan, are also believed to be interested after coming close to signing him on loan last summer.

No clubs have yet to show formal interest however, with Silva adding:

“Until now we have had no enquiries.

“We will do what is the best solution for him and us as a club. We have four wingers in our squad, we are happy with them. What I don’t want is for Bolasie not to play again.

“It doesn’t mean I have already decided what will happen. Let’s see what will happen at the end of the market.

“When he took the decision to come back we didn’t expect it, even though he has that option in his contract. Let’s see what will happen in the next few days.”

Bolasie will go down as one of many expensive flops bought during the reckless early years of Farhad Moshiri’s reign, though there is considerable mitigation due to the horrible knee injury he suffered just four months into his Toffees career.

By all accounts it was the type of injury that had ended careers in the past and took him more than a year to recover. But it’s clear the injury took a lot out of him and at 29 it’s unlikely to ever fully return.