Marco Silva labels Ademola Lookman ‘the present and the future’ of Everton as RB Leipzig lurk

The England Under-21 international spent the second half of last season on loan with the Bundesliga club, who have already had two bids to sign him permanently rejected

Marco Silva has labelled Everton’s talented youngster Ademola Lookman ”the present and the future of the club” in an attempt to dissuade RB Leipzig from continuing their chase for the forward.

The England Under-21 international spent the second half of last season on loan with the Bundesliga club, who have already had two bids to sign him permanently rejected by the Merseyside club.

Lookman did not feature for the Toffees in their 2-1 victory over Southampton on Saturday but did make the matchday squad for the first time this season.

“He is our player. You know what my technical opinion of the player is and the player knows. For me it is not an issue,” said Silva.

“I understand some clubs are interested in him but at the end I told you last week, I told you two weeks ago, (in) my opinion he is the present and the future of the club and we have to try to convince him to go in this way as well,” he added.

However, the Portuguese did admit that winger Yannick Bolasie’s future may lie away from Goodison Park, at least temporarily. The Congo international, who was initially linked with a move to Middlesbrough, is finally set to go on loan to Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa.

Ademola Lookman has been linked with a move away (DFL via Getty)

“I have spoken to him. I want to keep the player with us and I want them to fight for their positions but now is the moment for him to decide as well.”

While there may be outgoings at Goodison Park, Silva was keen to praise Richarlison, one of the arrivals on Merseyside this summer. The pair worked together at Watford and the 41-year-old is pleased with the instant impact the Brazilian has made with three goals in two appearances.

“It is not a surprise to see how quickly he’s settled in and that he’s started scoring important goals. He can also support and help with and without the ball.

“Even if he doesn’t score in the first two matches he works well and that is important for me,” Silva stated.

The Brazilian scored the winner against Southampton last weekend, a game in which teammate Gylfi Sigurdsson also delivered an excellent performance, according to his manager.

“He is fantastic, not only with the ball, but he is also fantastic without the ball. In possession he is a player of high quality, especially when he can find space like he did in the last game. I really enjoyed watching him,” Silva said.

Richarlison celebrates scoring his third goal in two matches (Reuters) (REUTERS)

Richarlison and Sigurdsson may have played a huge part in the Toffees’ victory last weekend, but the former Watford manager was keen not to forget the impact of the fans and urged them to continue their unwavering support for the team.

“If the fans can support the players in every minute of every match like they did in the last game, then we will be stronger for sure,” Silva stated.

“It will be tough against Bournemouth but we want to play in our way and make the game tough for our opponents too. We have a process to follow and it is important to make good results.”