According to reports in the Daily Mail, Everton youngster Ademola Lookman is a loan target for Championship side Derby County after struggling to get first team minutes this summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Daily Mail says that Rams boss Gary Rowett is looking to add some pace to his frontline following the summer departure of Tom Ince to Huddersfield Town and he is keen on the 19-year-old.

The forward has been on the substitutes’ bench during Everton’s pre-season preparations and it was the same situation as they drew 2-2 with Sevilla on Sunday.

While Ronald Koeman will want the England Under-20 international to get regular playing time in the upcoming campaign he could yet decide to keep the youngster with the fixture congestion that will come if they qualify for the group stages of the Europa League.

In addition, the Daily Mail says that fellow winger Aaron Lennon is in talks with Watford over a loan deal and if he goes then the Dutch manager will have even fewer options out wide.

How did Lookman do last season?

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The 19-year-old only moved to Goodison Park from Charlton Athletic during the January transfer window but he made a big impression in the Premier League.

The winger made eight appearances between then and the end of the campaign and he scored his first top flight on his debut in the 4-0 win against Manchester City at Goodison Park in January.

The forward also made his European debut for the club in the 1-0 win against MFK Ruzomberok in the Europa League qualifying stages this summer.

Would a loan move be good for the winger?

It certainly would be.

The 19-year-old needs to be playing regularly to continue his development and that certainly isn’t a guarantee this season depending on how the rest of the summer transfer window goes for Everton.

Can they really afford to let him go?

It really could depend on what formation Koeman intends to play and their progress in the Europa League.

While Yannick Bolasie may miss the rest of 2017 because of injury, the Toffees are left with Lennon, Kevin Mirallas and Dominic Calvert-Lewin as their wide options and that doesn’t seem much strength in depth if Lookman is allowed to go on loan.

In all honesty, an exit for Lennon looks more likely and the teenager will get his chance because of the likely line-up rotations this term.

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