The rumour of Everton’s chase for Bas Dost as a potential January signing hasn’t really lasted long, and it keeps being ruled out by several sources.
We first pointed out that Sporting didn’t accept €40m from Newcastle in the summer, according to their local media, which was a clue it was very unlikely the Portuguese side would sell the player in the winter market. That should mean he would only leave for his €60m release clause.
A day later, that was exactly what the Portuguese press reported. A Bola confirmed that Sporting have no intention of letting their main goalscorer leave in the middle of the season, so whoever wants him, would have to pay €60m.
Still, they claimed that even the Lisbon side don’t expect Everton to pay that, since clubs are normally more cautious in the January market.
And now the player himself is turning down the transfer. Bas Dost spoke to the Dutch media about it, and didn’t leave any room for speculation.
“I’m not waiting for a winter transfer at all,” he said (via AD). “I’m excited at Sporting and I want to be a champion here. I’m not leaving in the winter break.”
So if Ronald Koeman wants his compatriot so bad, he’ll need to wait until next summer.
