Ronald Koeman has no intention of allowing Oumar Niasse to revive his Everton career by refusing to include the £13.5 million striker in his squad.
Niasse scored for the Blues’ under-23 side in midweek as his first-team exodus continues following a dismal six months to his time with the club.
Koeman told the Senegal striker on numerous occasions that his future lies away from Goodison Park and the Everton manager’s stance has not changed.
He said: “I don’t think the goal changes anything but he’s still a contracted player of Everton.
“Of course I mentioned before the season started that he’s a player who will not be in my plans.
“But he’s still under contract and he needs game-time for if there is interest from other clubs.
“Normally, we have enough strikers and different strikers to what he is. I prefer these people and not Niasse in the team.”
Niasse attracted interest from several clubs during the transfer window, including Galtasaray and Hull City, but failed to secure a switch elsewhere.
And Koeman admits that he is perplexed by the 26-year-old’s refusal to move on his tumultuous Everton spell.
“That’s a question for the player. There was some interest in him but not the interest that he liked to have,” he added.
“It is all up to the player whether he doesn’t leave, I can’t understand it, but that is normal.
“Football players like to play football, that’s how I see it, and I explained to him why he was not in my plans for the season.”