American striker back on Everton radar as possible striking option

There are further stories that Everton might be considering a bid for US forward Daryl Dike. So is the American a viable option to boost the Blues attacking choices?

It’s clear Everton do need to improve the strength and depth of their forwards with the team over-reliant on Dominic Calvert-Lewin for goals last season and questions about the future of Moise Kean and Cenk Tosun still unresolved.

In addition, Richarlison had a poor campaign last time round and while he’s still likely to be a Toffees player next season, it’s not absolutely certain. Meanwhile Ellis Simms has had a decent loan spell at Blackpool but has just suffered the usual injury jinx and anyway it’s not clear how ready he is for the Premier League.

The Everton team struggled badly to score enough goals in the second half of the season and this contributed hugely to the failure to pick up enough points to qualify for Europe. More firepower is a must for this team to push on next term.

So the situation is a bit of a mess and I think although there are a lot of areas of this underperforming team that need improvement, finding better quality strikers and injecting more potency in a goal-shy side are crucial.

Dike is a player that has been linked with Everton in the recent past and today’s story is the latest rumour that he might well be on the club’s radar.

The US international has been on loan at Barnsley from the MLS and apart from having to acclimatise to the dramtic change in weather from Orlando, he’s adapted well on the pitch and has netted nine times as the Tykes pushed for promotion.

Dike is apparently available with Orlando ready to sell, however Barnsley are according to this report, very unlikely to be able to meet his asking price of around £18 million.

More from Prince Rupert's Tower

So Everton are one of number of Premier League clubs who are monitoring the American player and could be interested in trying to sign him.

Dike is a very similar centre-forward to current Blues number nine Dominic Calvert-Lewin who has had his best season in terms of goals last term but around whom there are still quesitons as to how consistent and natural a goalscorer he is.

Dike is big, powerful and great in the air just like the England forward. As he’s so similar to Calvert-Lewin he would be basically a straight replacement, so is this what the side needs?

Although he might be a better, more natural finisher than Calvert-Lewin, I think to be honest if the Toffees want a really good striker to sign from the Championship (although they’re now a Premier League club) is Brentford’s Ivan Toney.

Toney is a top finisher and has enjoyed a superb season for the Bees netting 33 times and adding another ten assists to boot.

Their promotion might further raise the price, but I think Toney would be the better bet if Everton do decide to go into the transfer market for another young striker in the English game. And as well as his goals, he’s a player who could offer the kind of additional creativity that Calvert-Lewin lacks.

Home/Transfer Rumors