Everton: Serhou Guirassy and 4 other strikers linked with a move to the Toffees
Everton need a striker ASAP. Without Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the Toffees look clueless in attack, lacking any incisiveness. In the first two Premier League games, the Toffees have operated without a poaching striker capable of being the main man in the attack.
Without the focal point in the frontline, the wingers and full backs have no target to aim their crosses at. Despite losing the first two games, Everton have looked more compact and defensively solid, with players giving absolutely everything to make the system work but the absence of a forward is hurting Everton the most. The losses against Chelsea and Aston Villa were identical in a way as despite getting the ball forward, Everton couldn’t conjure up any goal scoring chances.
Signing a striker is now the top most priority. Calvert-Lewin remains sidelined for six weeks and Salomon Rondon has done little to stake claim to a starting role in absence of the 25 year old. The Venezuelan scored a solitary Premier League goal last season, which isn’t convincing enough for a striker with years of Premier League experience.
The Toffees have been linked to several strikers since Calvert-Lewin’s injury. Everton have not wasted time in scanning the market and targeting certain striker profiles. After the initial struggles to get Armando Broja, the Merseysiders have been linked to five strikers in the last week or so.
5 strikers linked to Everton
Serhou Guirassy
The links to Serhou Guirassy emerged earlier this month and have picked up momentum since the start of the Premier League. Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais could sanction the sale of Guirassy after they acquired Arnaud Kalimeundo from PSG. The Guinea international had a spectacular campaign with Rennes last season, netting 12 goals in 26 Ligue 1 games and playing an important part in Rennes’ achievement of fourth place in the league.
According to French media outlet L’Equipe, the 26 year old could soon depart from Stade Rennais. In fact, manager Bruno Genesio left Guirassy out of the squad for the weekend clash against AS Monaco.
Bamba Dieng
The striker hunt has once again seen Everton linked with a striker that plies his trade in France. Most recently, it has been reported that Marseille forward Bamba Dieng has been offered to the Blues. The 22 year old possesses a decent goalscoring record, netting seven goals in 11 appearances for Marseille last season.
Dieng isn’t a world beater but at 22 he has plenty of room to grow and evolve. Everton do face the competition from newly promoted Fulham and Nottingham Forest. As per L’Equipe, talks between Everton and Marseille have been held but nothing is imminent as of now.
Che Adams
As per Daily Mail, Everton had made an approach for Southampton striker Che Adams. The Scotsman is looking to leave Southampton and Everton might just come in at the right time to offer him an exit route. Adams is said to be open to a move to Goodison Park but the Toffees do face some competition from rivals Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
The 26 year old netted seven Premier League goals and three assists in 23 starts, which isn’t headline grabbing but still noteworthy. Adams is valued at £16.2 million by Transfermarkt, which would fit into the budget as the Toffees cannot spend an exorbitant amount of cash.
Viktor Gyokeres
Last week, Everton registered interest in Coventry City forward Viktor Gykoeres. The Swedish striker enjoyed a flourishing season in the Championship, scoring 17 goals in 45 games, helping his side finish 12th.
The 24 year old may not have the Premier League experience that Everton are looking for but the Swede is a hardworking, reactive striker who offers some degree of versatility. Gyokeres is capable of playing as a sole striker and as a left side forward in a two striker formation He might be relatively cheaper than other striker options which could be an advantage if Everton do not have money to spend.
Ludovic Ajorque
Ludovic Ajorque is the third striker from France that has been linked to Everton. English sides Everton and Newcastle had shown interest in the 28 year old towering striker. Strasbourg has already rejected a €10 million bid from Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin. So, if the Blues want to strike a deal, they will have to pay around €15 million to sign the 6 feet 4 inch forward.
Ajorque has similar traits to Calvert-Lewin. He is extremely powerful in the air and is a magnet to crosses. He might not be the most agile striker, but his holdup play and ability to allow others around him to make a run is impressive.
The Merseysiders face Nottingham Forest next weekend and Frank Lampard will be trying his best to get a striker before the game. Whether the incoming forward is one of the aforementioned targets or a new face remains to be seen.