Norwegian 'wonderkid' flies in for Everton talks

| Monday, 07 November 2016

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Everton could be close to tying up the transfer of 18-year-old Rafik Zekhnini with reports in Norway claiming he has been given permission to fly to England to negotiate a move this week.

Einar Hà¥ndlykken, chief executive of Odd, refused to identify the club that Zekhnini has flown to meet except to concede that it was a "European top club" but Varden report that it is Everton.

Zekhnini, who has five goals in 22 games so far this season and turned heads with a superb display against Borussia Dortmund last year in a Europa League playoff game, has long been regarded as a jewel in Odd's crown and they have been reluctant to let him go without receiving a sizeable offer, even with just a year left on his current contract.

The player himself has been pleased with the club's conduct over the interest in his services and is quoted by Nettavisen as saying: "I have been allowed to talk to other clubs, and both I and my family are very happy with how Odd has handled this."

(With thanks to Anders Monn-Iversen)