CONFIRMED: Everton cash in as striker leaves on permanent deal

Monaco have signed Henry Onyekuru from Everton on a five-year contract for a fee believed to be in the region of £12.5million with a further £1.4m in add-ons

The Nigerian striker departs having failed to make a single senior appearance for the Toffees since joining from KAS Eupen for £7m in 2017.

The French side reportedly agreed a deal with the Toffees several days ago but the move was held up while Onyekuru obtained a visa.

That visa was finally granted on Monday, allowing the young forward to finalise his switch to the French Riviera.

Bayern Munich and CSKA Moscow have previously been linked with a move for Onyekuru, while Turkish side Galatasaray were believed to be keen on re-signing the striker after a successful loan spell last season.

While Onyekuru has potential, it is a decision likely to have been driven by red tape.

Everton signed the 22-year-old knowing he would not be eligible for a work permit in the UK so immediately loaned him out to Anderlecht. The hope was that Onyekuru would not only gain domestic experience but also earn more international caps in that time, having only made his Nigeria debut in June 2017.

Sadly, a serious knee injury impeded his progress during the 2017-18 season, though he recovered to enjoy a successful campaign at Galatasaray last time out, helping the club win the Turkish league title.

He was called up to the Nigeria squad for this summer’s Africa Cup of Nations but would only make one appearance throughout the whole tournament as the Super Eagles went on to finish third.

In total, he has scored 26 goals and added six assists in 72 club appearances over the past two years while earning 11 caps for Nigeria, scoring once.

Sadly for Everton, that has not been enough to convince the authorities to grant him a work permit.

The Toffees could have tried again and sent him out on another loan, but taking the opportunity to double their money on a player who has never featured for the club is probably the right decision.

Good luck Henry, we hardly knew ye.