Oumar Niasse rejects move back to Moscow

Everton striker Oumar Niasse is said to have turned down the opportunity to return to his previous employers, Lokomotiv Moscow.

According to Russian site Championat, Lokomotiv want to re-sign Niasse, 29, at the end of the season when his Everton contract expires.

But the Senegalese seemingly declined the move himself, with him reported as preferring potential options in England or Turkey.

Though, it also states that Lokomotiv could return with an offer to sign Niasse immediately before the Russian transfer window closes on February 21.

Since joining Everton from Lokomotiv for £13.5 million in February 2016, Niasse has endured a turbulent time on Merseyside, including two loan spells at Hull City and Cardiff City, just 42 Blues appearances and nine goals.

He has made just three outings in royal blue this season, all as a substitute, and reportedly rejected the chance to move to several Championship clubs on loan in January, including high-flyers Nottingham Forest and Leeds United.

The final signing of Roberto Martínez’s time as Everton manager, Niasse netted 19 times in 42 games for Lokomotiv in the season-and-a-half he spent at the club.