Lookman ‘has to be moved up next year,’ says Brands

Marcel Brands has confirmed Ademola Lookman will be a part of Marco Silva’s plans for the upcoming campaign.

The 20-year-old winger’s future has been cast in doubt recently, but the Blues’ new Director of Football has given Evertonians something to get excited about regarding one of England’s brightest young sparks.

Lookman spent the second half of the 2017/18 season on loan at RB Leipzig after he became a bit-part cog in Sam Allardyce’s squad and the German club seemed keen on making the move permanent.

But Brands has explained how he is a big fan of the England youth international and revealed how he tried to sign him whilst he was still at PSV Eindhoven.

Brands said: “I can be clear in that because I know the player very well,

“He was on my list at PSV, he is a very talented young player and I think he has to be moved up next year (to the first team squad).”

In just 11 games for Die Bullen Lookman managed five goals and two assists, helping Leipzig to qualify for next term’s UEFA Europa League.

It is reported Silva will deploy a 4-3-3 formation at the Toffees and League One’s most expensive export will have the chance to make the wide forward position his very own.