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Everton are being linked with a summer move for Loum Tchaouna, with the Burnley winger emerging as a potential attacking target for David Moyes ahead of next season.
The 22-year-old only joined Burnley from Lazio last summer, but his first Premier League campaign has already put him on the radar of clubs looking for pace and upside in wide areas. Everton are expected to strengthen their attack, and Tchaouna fits the kind of profile they may be able to target: young, physically sharp, left-footed and still developing.
Tchaouna has mainly been used as a right winger, where he can cut inside onto his stronger left foot, but he is also capable of playing from the left or through the middle when needed. That flexibility would appeal to Everton, especially if Moyes wants more options behind the main striker and more competition in wide areas.
His season stats are not explosive, but they show a player gaining valuable Premier League experience. Tchaouna has made around 26 to 27 league appearances for Burnley this season, scoring two goals and playing just over 1,100 minutes. He is yet to register an assist, but those numbers need context. Burnley have spent much of the campaign battling near the bottom, meaning chances have not always been easy to come by for their attacking players.
The attraction for Everton is potential rather than finished output. Tchaouna has speed, direct running and the courage to take defenders on. He was highly rated in France before moving to Lazio, and Burnley paid around €15m to bring him to England. That means he is unlikely to be available for a bargain fee, but if Burnley are forced to sell, Everton may sense an opportunity.
A realistic asking price could sit somewhere around £15m to £20m, especially if Burnley want to recover their investment and make a small profit. That would be a manageable figure for Everton if they view him as a long-term starter rather than just a squad option.
There may be competition, too. Clubs in France and Italy are likely to keep watching him, while other Premier League sides could enter the race if Burnley show a willingness to negotiate.
Written by Ketan Patel
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