---
title: "Everton: Blues look to loan out Niels Nkounkou"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-blues-look-to-loan-out-niels-nkounkou/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Everton"
published: "2021-08-31T11:15:39Z"
modified: "2021-08-31T11:15:39Z"
---

# Everton: Blues look to loan out Niels Nkounkou

**Standard Liege are in talks with Everton over a loan deal for Niels Nkounkou, a source close to the player has told [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/source-confirms-parties-working-everton-player-exit-loan-without-option-buy/).**

### The lowdown

The 20-year-old joined Everton from Marseille in July 2020 for a fee of [just under £250,000](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/niels-nkounkou/transfers/spieler/591193). The left-back went on to make [six senior appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/niels-nkounkou/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/591193/verein/29) in his debut season, two of which came in the Premier League.

He was given [his first minutes](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/niels-nkounkou/leistungsdaten/spieler/591193/plus/0?saison=2021) of the 2021/22 campaign in the Carabao Cup tie against Huddersfield Town last week.

### The latest

As per Sport Witness journalist [Sean Lunt on Twitter](https://twitter.com/Sean_Lunt/status/1432647585295212545), ‘Everton are working on’ temporarily offloading Nkounkou to the Belgian Pro League outfit.

It will be a loan move without an option to buy, suggesting that the Toffees still view Nkounkou as part of their long-term plans.

### The verdict

This is a slightly strange move from Everton in that Nkounkou appears to be the [most natural left-back alternative](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-everton/kadernachposition/verein/29) to Lucas Digne in the squad.

However, they clearly believe that his development will benefit more from a season of regular top-flight football as opposed to under-23 outings and occasional cup runouts.

Rafael Benitez will need to shift a centre-back out to the left-hand side if he wants to give Digne a rest, or indeed if the Frenchman sustains an injury at some point during the season. This apparent decision to loan out Nkounkou may come under scrutiny further down the line.

**In other news, [Everton maintain an interest in this midfielder](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fc-news/everton-blues-maintain-sean-longstaff-interest/).**