Everton ahead of rivals in chase of £27 million Argentine attacker

We have not yet entered the summer transfer window but Everton have already been linked with a host of names. The Toffees may look to bolster the attack especially if Moise Kean leaves the club. Everton have found themselves getting linked to Lazio striker Joaquin Correa.

Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have shared the majority of the goalscoring load, scoring a combined total of 34 goals throughout the season, amounting to more than 50% of the Everton goals (69 goals in 46 games). Joshua King, who arrived in January, failed to net a single goal in 11 appearances.

Everton’s third highest goal scorer is Gylfi Sigurdsson with eight goals across all competitions. This underlines a major issue: the lack of goalscoring. Kean’s departure would further expose the need for an attacker who can come off the bench and make an impact and also share the goalscoring onus.

Carlo Ancelotti already stated that the club is going to search for wingers in the market who have a profile of scoring goals. However, the Toffees may have to also search for a striker who can provide cover for DCL and Richarlison.

Everton want to sign Joaquin Correa

According to La Repubblica (via Sportwitness), Ancelotti’s Everton are in the hunt to sign Lazio forward Joaquin Correa. Several La Liga clubs are also in the race to sign the Argentine. In fact, the Royal Blues are in front of the queue to sign the 26 year old.

Correa has had a substandard season with Lazio, managing 11 goals and 6 assists in 38 games this term. The Argentine plays as a second striker in Lazio’s 3-5-2, partnering alongside Ciro Immobile. Lazio boss Simeone Inzaghi often rotates Correa and Vedat Muriqi but the 26 year old has often edged the Turk in terms of performances and goals.

Correa possesses a wide range of skills and is one of the trickiest players to deal with. The Argentine averages 3.26 dribbles per 90 minutes and creates 4 shot creating actions per 90 and 0.74 goal creating actions. As a second striker, he has an eye to exploit spaces and often drops deep to allow the likes of Immobile to rampage forward. Capable of playing behind the striker, Correa can create chances through his trickery and fine vision.

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Correa often looks confident on the ball and through his skillsets, he can be an asset to any team. Versatility flows through his veins as he’s equipped to play anywhere in the front line apart from his usual secondary striker position. The former Sevilla man is also a neat passer of the ball and has the vision to spot half spaces and play the ball to his teammates.

Nicknamed ‘Tucu’, Correa is arguably in his prime and has maximized himself in Rome. He produced his best season numbers in 2020-21 and will aim to do better next season. He’s a solid pick should Everton decide to try their luck signing the Argentine.

Correa has a market value of £27 million (Transfermarkt) but Lazio won’t even entertain a bid close to this figure. His contract runs till 2024 and he is a key cog in Inzaghi’s system. It is surely going to take a big sum of money for Everton to convince the I Biancocelesti to let one of their top players go.

Should Everton target Joaquin Correa?