Everton are leading the race to sign Newcastle United forward Yankuba Minteh, according to journalist Santi Aouna. 

The Toffees have confirmed that Tim Iroegbunam has moved to Goodison Park from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old has become the first signing of the summer for Everton, and it appears that the Merseyside club are working on a deal to sign Minteh.

Fabrizio Romano reported on X on 23 June that French club Olympique Lyon have entered the race to sign the 19-year-old winger, but the Toffees remain in the race and have “concrete” interest in the player.

Now, Aouna claims on X that Everton hold advantage in the race.

“In the Yankuba Minteh case, Everton holds the rope for the moment,” wrote the Foot Mercato journalist (roughly translated from the main tweet). It roughly means that Everton are in leading position in the race at the moment. 

Marseille, Borussia Dortmund, and AS Roma are also interested in signing the winger, who enjoyed a fantastic 2023-24 campaign on loan from Newcastle at Feyenoord.

Minteh’s agent, Bakary Bojang, told Chronicle Live that Newcastle are planning to sell the winger if they receive a good offer. In fact, the 19-year-old has already agreed personal terms with an unnamed club.

Newcastle value the player at around £40 million, and Everton could secure his signing if they offload Dominic Calvert-Lewin to the Magpies for anything over £35 million.