Everton academy product Jonjoe Kenny could be set to join Celtic today after advanced negotiations with Burnley broke down.
The 23-year-old right-back has failed to make a meaningful impact on Carlo Ancelotti’s plans at Goodison Park, with the defender restricted to just 8 appearances this season – of which only four were in the Premier League.
Carlo Ancelotti has shown a tendency to play club captain Seamus Coleman and Mason Holgate ahead of Kenny at right-back, with Kenny seeming to be surplus to requirements.
Any deal to take Kenny to Parkhead is understood to be on an initial loan basis which would see Kenny replace Jeremie Frimpong.
Dutch youngster Frimpong recently made a switch to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen for a fee surpassing £11 million – leaving a vacancy in Neil Lennon’s plans.
Talks with fellow Premier League side Burnley were previously said to be at an advanced stage, but it has since been understood that talks broke down over the size of a transfer fee for Kenny.
However, Everton appear to have found an ideal suitor in Celtic.
Kenny has previously enjoyed a loan spell with German side Schalke and is not unfamiliar with temporary spells away from Goodison Park, and is valued at £6.3 million.
Everton’s wider focus this window is on departures – as opposed to incomings – as Marcel Brands looks to trim the size of Ancelotti’s squad.
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This deal appears to be a textbook example of both buying and selling clubs feeling like they have secured a major deal.
Celtic will undoubtedly feel they have filled a niche gap superbly in an English talent with proven top-flight European experience, whilst Everton have offloaded another peripheral option.
