Everton are confident of completing the signing of Ademola Lookman from Charlton Athletic, for a fee that could rise to £11million, in the opening weeks of the January transfer window. Ronald Koeman’s side are desperate for a new winger after Yannick Bolasie’s knee ligament injury ruled him out for the rest of the season. Steve Walsh has identified 19-year-old Lookman as the best replacement and Everton have moved to the front of the queue for him. The only remaining sticking point is that Charlton want Lookman loaned back for the second half of the season, while Everton want to bring him straight into their first team group. The two sides are in negotiations and are likely to settle on a fee close to £8m with another £3m in potential add-ons.

Lookman’s long-term suitors, Arsenal, Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Celtic are still monitoring the situation but they have not yet made a serious offer to Charlton. Palace bid £6m for Lookman on the final day of the August transfer window but Charlton did not agree to sell him then. This time, Charlton are in turmoil, 11th in League One, and new manager Karl Robinson knows that he has no option but to part ways with the talented teenager Charlton signed at 16. Everton want him signed as close to New Year’s Day as possible.