New Everton recruit Ademola Lookman has been described by Toffees boss Ronald Koeman as a “big talent” who the club “expect a lot” from.
The Merseyside outfit announced on Thursday afternoon they had signed winger Lookman, 19, from Charlton on a four-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
The England Under-20 international, who scored five goals for the Addicks in the Championship last season before adding five more in League One this term, told Everton’s official website: “I feel like I’m ready to make the step up to the Premier League.”
Koeman said as part of the announcement: “Ademola is a big talent…(with) a big future in the game.”
And, speaking at a press conference soon after, the Dutchman added: “He can reach a high level if he develops well, if he improves.
“Of course, it is a player for the future and we will see how long it takes that he gets a chance.
“But I think it is a good signing. We expect a lot from the boy.
“I think he needs time to adapt to the way how we train, how we play.
“Finally, we choose always the best 11 and the best seven on the bench – and it’s not about age.”
Koeman hopes to make Morgan Schneiderlin another addition in the January transfer window, and has expressed his interest in the midfielder’s Manchester United team-mate, forward Memphis Depay.
The manager on Thursday said when asked how many signings he was likely to make this month: “Some more – it can be one, it can be two. That is what we will try to bring in.”
Although not giving names of who that could be, Koeman did refer to the need for “more quality in midfield”, __with Idrissa Gueye now unavailable due to African Nations Cup duty.
He also stressed that if Everton do not secure the specific players they have targeted, they will not be looking to sign alternatives.
“We know the players we want, and it is up to the board to make the deal,” Koeman said.
“We will see if finally we get those players in, because that is really important for the team. If not, then we don’t sign other players because that is not what I want.”
Koeman was speaking ahead of Everton’s FA Cup third-round home clash __with Leicester on Saturday, for which Lookman is cup-tied.
The Toffees will also be without Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with Koeman revealing the ankle injury the teenage forward sustained against Southampton on Monday will keep him out for up to eight weeks.
Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg (dead leg) and midfielder James McCarthy (hamstring) are not yet ready to make their returns, and winger Aaron Lennon is a doubt.
Meanwhile, Koeman was asked about speculation suggesting he has been contacted by his old club Barcelona about possibly replacing their boss Luis Enrique this summer.
Put to him on Thursday that such reports had emerged this week, Koeman said: “Okay – but that’s not important at the moment.
“My name is always linked with Barcelona – I got all these kind of questions also over the last two years when I was at Southampton. I’m not at Barcelona, I’m at Everton.”