Everton man ‘very close’ to sealing exit – Wants his future sorted as soon as possible

Everton striker Youssef Chermiti is ‘very close’ to joining Championship side Stoke City on a season-long loan deal

That’s according to Africa Foot, who report that a lack of playing at Everton will see the 21-year-old head to Stoke on loan instead.

They state that several sources believe he is not in David Moyes’ plans for Everton next season and, according to their information, is expected to leave on loan as a result.

He will probably remain in England if he does and several Championship sides have expressed an interest in signing him.

A source close to the player has told Africa Foot that Stoke City manager Mark Robins, who has a very good relationship with Everton, is very interested in securing the striker’s signature. He likes Chermiti’s profile and that has made him a main target for the Potters.

Stoke City are now determined to finalise the transfer as quickly as possible. They face competition from Preston North End, Sheffield United and Oxford United. Contrary to reports, Swansea City have not made contact with Chermiti or Everton.

Chermiti would like to confirm his next destination in the coming days to prepare for next season as soon as possible.

Million Manhoef has a huge U21s European Championship game today – and hopes experience will benefit him and Stoke City

Million Manhoef believes he is emerging from a tough first 18 months at Stoke City a stronger and more complete player as he prepares to help take the Netherlands to the semi-finals of the under-21s European Championships.

The 23-year-old winger joined Stoke from Vitesse Arnhem in January 2024 and has since been involved in two fights at the wrong end of the Championship under three different managers, while also overcoming the first serious injury of his career.

But he is determined to learn from each challenge… including the immediate task of helping Netherlands under-21s beat Portugal on Saturday, June 21, to progress to the last four of the Euros in Slovakia.

Manhoef has so far started two of their group games – a draw with Finland and a victory over Ukraine on Wednesday – and was also subbed on during a 2-0 defeat by Denmark.

Those four points have been enough to see the Netherlands progress out of group D as runners-up to the Danes to set up their last eight clash with Portugal at the Štadión pod Dubňom in Žilina.

Victory over the Ukrainians was key if the Dutch were to stay in the competition, and Manhoef admitted they had been too sloppy in their earlier group games, saying: “We have a good team with a lot of quality, but in the first two matches we made it hard for ourselves. We knew we had to start and stay sharp for 90 minutes against Ukraine because it was all or nothing.”

It is a lesson he has also been learning during a tricky season for Stoke, but he believes he has benefitted from it. “I think I’m a better player for the experience, definitely,” he told StokeonTrentLive.

“I’ve become more fit because the intensity is very high. In Holland I stood out for speed, but in the Championship everyone is fast and strong so you have to do more on the ball and with your positioning. I definitely think I’m a better player – but I think I haven’t shown my potential yet.

“At Vitesse it was also hard. When I came through we were very good. We were in the Conference League, we played against big teams and we did very well. Then the next year, with all the financial troubles, it’s a bit ****. You have to become strong, keep your focus and do your own thing.

“Relegation football in England is even more stressful because there’s a lot of money around it and nobody wants to do it. That’s why you see in relegation football sometimes the ball doesn’t even touch the floor. You have to be composed and be strong mentally. So I think mentally I’m a more mature player.”

With Manhoef playing in his last youth football competition – he was eligible for the tournament by just two days – he is keen to make an impact under manager Michael Reiziger, even though the Portuguese will pose a tough test.

He added: “We’re in it to win it, of course. You shouldn’t go to a tournament, especially as a big country like Holland is, without thinking you can win it. We have a lot of quality so I think we can. It would be great to win it and I’m confident we can come back with the trophy.

“We definitely are a good team. We have good individual players but as a team I think we may be even better. Yes, we have big players, but as a team I think we are even better than individuals.”

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