Michael Olunga, the prolific Kenyan international whose name has been on the lips of Everton insiders, has been speaking about his future.
Olunga, 29, plundered 40 goals for Al-Duhail this season to steer them to a domestic double in Qatar but is contract expires at the end of this month after a trio of free-scoring campaigns in Doha. The ECHO understands that doubts over the availability of funds contributed to Everton not signing anyone in the January transfer window despite director of football Kevin Thelwell having been looking to bring in a couple of new attacking players and Anthony Gordon being sold to Newcastle United for £45million.
With Financial Fair Play restrictions still biting after the excesses of the Blues’ previous period of profligacy – last summer owner Farhad Moshiri admitted: “We have not always spent significant amounts of money wisely” when issuing an apology to supporters – bargain buys and free agents could figure in the club’s recruitment plans for the 2023/24 season and Olunga has emerged as a surprising potential player of interest for some at Finch Farm.
Responding to the rumours, Harambee Stars captain Olunga said: “I can’t say so much because now at the end of the season for me, I take it as a good time to relax after a hard season for us in Qatar.
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“It was fantastic for me to win three top scorers (titles) in three competitions, I feel amazing, I feel I really did a good job. But normally I don’t like to speculate about things, I can only control what is in my jurisdiction, which is playing football.”
Back in 2016, Olunga, who has also had spells playing club football in Sweden, China, Spain and Japan after leaving his homeland, recorded a video asking then Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to sign him.
Earlier this week, Kenyan journalist David Kwalimwa told the ECHO: “Michael will fancy a move to the English Premier League. He has hoped for this chance his entire life,” adding: “Should the move to Everton happen, he will be pumped up to deliver as almost all Kenyans watch the competition week in week out.”
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