German Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig are monitoring Ademola Lookman’s future at Everton as he continues to tread water at Goodison Park.
The 21-year-old spent the second half of last term at the Red Bull Arena and enjoyed his first sustained run of games in one of Europe’s top leagues.
In 11 Bundesliga outings he scored five goals and contributed four assists to help the club secure a sixth-place finish and qualification for the Europa League.
Everton fought off interest in Lookman, rejecting an offer from Leipzig during the summer transfer window, but his opportunities have been few and far between this term.
Manager Marco Silva is yet to select the winger to start a Premier League game this season, though he did begin the Carabao Cup clash with Southampton earlier in October.
He has made substitute appearances in each of the Toffees’ last two top flight games, the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace and loss to Manchester United, and could be set for a long-run in the squad.
Leipzig have not been put-off by having a bid turned down in the summer and will continue to monitor his activity before possibly reigniting their interest.
“It’s clear how much affection we have for Ademola and I think from the way he performed here, the environment we created for him and the platform we gave him, he also enjoyed his time here,” Leipzig’s director of football Paul Mitchell told The Sun.
“And with a situation like that, we would always be open to revisiting, but you never know.
“At this moment he is an Everton player and he’s working with some really good people there.
“We know him and we will always keep a very close eye on his development because we see him as a Red Bull guy from his time here.
“But at the moment we just have to hope that he continues his progression as a footballer and let’s see what the future brings.”
Despite Silva showing little faith in Lookman, the coach accepts the former Charlton Athletic youngster has the talent to be a central part of Everton’s future.
“First of all he has to understand that he is in a big club,” he said, prior to the start of the season.
“I think he understands and I’m here to be clear with him in this situation. Of course, we have to understand that he went on loan and was happy there, he enjoyed the football as well, and now he deserves to stay with us.
“I told him and our board on the first day that I believe in his skills and his profile. I did my technical analysis on him and he is a good talent. He is our present and our future. Now he has to fight for his position.
“I am here to do everything I can to make him happy again, to put him in the conditions to fight, and after that it is for him to keep his position and to fight to take it.
“It is not a case of we brought in Richarlison or Bernard as well [so they are ahead of him]. If he is in a better position and moment than the others then for sure he will play.”