Everton must try to get Gyokeres as competition for striker hots up

As the days count down to the opening of the summer transfer window Everton are, as always, being linked with a number of different names.

Many of those players are of course forwards, as this is clearly the position which the Toffees need to strengthen above all this summer.

Having said that, if Everton keep releasing defenders at the rate they have been, the club will need to do some urgent business for that part of the team as well!

One of the names that has cropped up again and again over the last few months in particular, is Coventry City and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres.

The 25-year-old has just produced a superb season netting twenty-one times as Coventry reached the Championship Playoff final only to lose on penalties to Luton Town.

Gyokeres certainly did all he could to get his team into the Premier League, but now that hope is gone it’s highly likely he will move on to pastures new.

The Blues apparently made a move for him in the January window (along with nearly every other striker around!) but Coventry manager Mark Robbins didn’t want to let him go while the Sky Blues had a realistic chance of promotion.

Not that he would have joining Everton anyway as the club’s fruitless pursuit of an ever growing list of forwards on deadline day, so clearly underlined.

That problem might still come back to haunt the Toffees this summer.

But, hopefully with Premier League status secured (which was not certain in January) and the prospect of a much-needed cash injection from outside investors, will ensure that is not the case.

Regardless, Everton absolutely must improve their attacking options and strength in depth before the new season starts in August.

However effective he might be when fit, Dominic Calvert-Lewin seems as fragile as glass and simply cannot be relied upon to lead the line for the Blues.

So, who might be the best bet among those forwards being touted as potential transfer targets in the summer?

Tammy Abraham, linked with what would be a surprise move to Goodison Park, has just picked up a serious injury ruling him out of the game for the foreseeable future. That rather remote transfer is not now going to happen.

There are a few players from the relegated sides who could be worth a look. But for me Gyokeres ticks all the right boxes.

He has pace, power, is two-footed and decent in the air. But of course, the primary quality he brings is the ability to find the back of the net. 

The powerful striker looks ready for the next step in his career and the Premier League seems the natural place for hom to do so.

Gyokeres also seems very adept at playing in a counter-attacking side something Everton are likely to continue to do often if Sean Dyche stays in the dugout.

Given his age and a probable price tag of around £15-20 million, it seems a bit if a no-brainer ro try and get this player in through the door.

The Toffees have the Anthony Gordon money and Mosie Kean’s fee after his return to Juventus so there are funds available to spend, in theory at least.

There are strong rumours other clubs are keen on Gyokeres, so the Blues will have to got things moving quickly if they want to have a chance of securing his signature.

Will Everton move for the Swedish international in this summer window? Time will tell of course.