Everton have been following €12m forward who could partner Calvert-Lewin upfront

Everton have been tracking strikers as they aim to strengthen their frontline in the summer. The Toffees have been deprived of options in the frontline as Dominic Calvert-Lewin has remained on the sidelines for much of the season. Everton have been looking at Villarreal striker Boulaye Dia who is on loan at Salernitana.

Back in January, when Salernitana knocked on the Everton doors to enquire about Michael Keane, the Toffees carried out their surveys for Dia. The Senegalese forward is on loan at Salernitana and the Italians have the option to sign him permanently for €12 million at the end of the season.

Dia has fared well for the Serie A outfit, netting 11 goals and providing six assists in 28 games this season. A report stated that Salernitana will decide at the end of the season whether to sign him permanently and sell him immediately for a profit or not.

Everton following Boulaye Dia for months

Everton continue to admire Dia and they will look to launch an offer should they keep their Premier League status intact. According to La Citta di Salerno, the Toffees are tracking Dia for months now. It is expected that Salernitana will exercise their buy option at the end of the season as Dia has impressed throughout the season.

Apart from Everton, Leeds United are also keen to sign the 26 year old. AC Milan are also in the race to sign Dia in the summer. Salernitana will have to first exercise their buy option and only then can they negotiate an immediate sale for Dia.

Everton’s striker options currently consist of Calvert-Lewin, Neal Maupay and Ellis Simms. Calvert-Lewin has been in and out of the side because of injuries. Maupay was signed in the summer from Brighton for £15 million but the Frenchman has failed to make any impact since his move. The 26 year old has just a solitary goal to his name in 25 appearances for the Toffees this term.

Simms was recalled from his loan in January and has shown flashes of his talent but is still very much a work in progress. He cannot lead the line week in and week out but he has impressed Sean Dyche and can be considered as a solid backup option or an option off the bench. Maupay’s future is also uncertain with a summer exit not discarded yet.

Signing Dia will give Everton another reliable option in the strike force. However, signing him will be difficult amid the rising competition. None of this would matter if Everton cannot escape the relegation.

Will EFC push to sign Boulaye Dia?