‘Race is still very open’ – Romano gives update on striker linked with £4.4m Everton offer

Everton were hurriedly looking to sign a striker in the January transfer window and made several attempts to sign a striker. Everton launched a bid for Udinese striker Beto but it was rejected by the Serie A side. The Toffees were also trying to sign Moussa Dembele from Olympique Lyon.

The French striker was courted by Everton in January but back then he decided to stay at Lyon and see out his contract. Everton were hoping that Lyon would sell him in January instead of losing him on a free transfer in the summer but a move did not take place.

Everton even reignited their interest on the final day of the winter transfer window but in the end, Dembele stayed put. The former Celtic striker has fallen down the pecking order at Lyon, playing just 854 minutes in the Ligue 1.

Everton transfer target Moussa Dembele to leave Lyon

Dembele has started just eight times in the league and netted three goals. Earlier this month, a report surfaced from Liverpool ECHO that stated that Everton will have another chance to sign Dembele in the summer. He is set to leave the French club on a free transfer and the Toffees can launch an attempt to sign him as a free agent.

Lyon manager Laurent Blanc no longer counted Dembele even as the second choice and that made the Frenchman’s exit almost certain. As per the report, a four year contract was on the table for the 26 year old forward, who would earn an annual salary of £4.4 million at Goodison Park. However, this offer is only active if Sean Dyche’s team manages to escape relegation.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Dembele will leave Lyon as a free agent. Premier League clubs and Serie A clubs are keen on the 26 year old striker but the race is still very open. The French forward has also been linked to Manchester United as well as Aston Villa. It is difficult for Everton to jump United and Villa in the race as they are in the position to offer European football but Everton can’t.

The Toffees need to sign a striker but first they need to make sure that their Premier League status remains intact or they risk losing some of their best players like Amadou Onana and Jordan Pickford. The Merseysiders are languishing in 18th place with 28 points, tied with Leicester City who have a better goal difference.

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