Everton may profit on Henry Onyekuru without him playing

Everton could more than double their money on 20-year-old Nigerian striker Henry Onyekuru without him kicking a ball for the club.

Juventus and Atletico Madrid are both interested in signing the youngster who was immediately sent on a season-long loan to Anderlecht because of work permit issues, after joining Everton in a £7million deal from KAS Eupen last summer.

While Everton struggle to replace Romelu Lukaku, Onyekuru has leapt into the £15million bracket with six goals in his last five games in the Belgian League and impressing in Wednesday’s Champions League tie against Paris Saint Germain in which he struck the woodwork.

Juventus and Atletico Madrid are both interested the youngster who is on loan at Anderlecht

Juventus have started to pay close attention to Onyekuru after losing out to Monaco for the signature of Senegal international Keita Balde, and Atletico see him as a long-term replacement for Fernando Torres.

With the player beginning to sense other options besides a return to Merseyside, Everton now have the decision whether to push for a work permit or cash in and invest the money elsewhere.

Onyekuru, who plays for Anderlecht against Genk on Sunday, made his international debut for Nigeria earlier this year and has a chance of making their World Cup squad to Russia.

The 20-year-old Nigerian striker joined Everton in a £7m deal from KAS Eupen last summer

His rise is a feather in the cap for Everton’s Director of Football Steve Walsh, who moved from Leicester in 2016 to try and land the best young players at home and abroad.

Everton’s leading scorer this season is Wayne Rooney with four – two fewer than Onyekuru, who turned Dani Alves inside-out in Brussels last week before PSG ran out 4-0 winners.