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 Håndlykken, 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."
Einar Håndlykken, 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."
