Everton will only need to make a reasonable offer for defender Lorenz Assignon if they wish to sign him this summer.
That’s according to L’Equipe, who say Everton are very much in the mix for the 24-year-old and he’s been given an ‘exit voucher’ for this window.
The newspaper explains that Marseille are interested in the defender, who spent the second half of this season on loan at Burnley, seeing him as a replacement for Jonathan Clauss.
That deal included an option to buy, and Burnley used it, making him a ‘fantastic offer’ to remain at the club, but Assignon has turned it down as he wants to remain in the Premier League.
They’re just one of several suitors, including Galatasaray, Fulham, Nice and Marseille, all looking at a potential deal for him in the coming weeks.
The English sides have an advantage as Assignon appears to have enjoyed his time in England considerably and wants a new challenge next season.
Stade Rennais are willing to give him that and have handed him an ‘exit voucher’, so long as they receive a reasonable offer from someone. What they would consider reasonable isn’t mentioned but the player is currently valued at €10m by the likes of Transfermarkt.
That would presumably be an easy fee for Everton to meet, even with their finances as they are, and it remains to be seen if they now step forward with something concrete.