Everton will go on a striker hunt in the summer transfer window as they look to reinforce the feeble attack. The Merseysiders were the second lowest goal scoring team in the Premier League and in order to reinforce the attack, they are considering a move for French striker Moussa Dembele.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed 21 Premier League games last season because of multiple injuries and niggles, which is almost 56% games of the season. It is a concerning number if you are the prime striker of the side and the majority goalscoring load is on your shoulders. As a consequence, the Toffees ended up scoring just 34 goals in 38 league games, a goal tally only better than Wolves.
Neal Maupay has simply not cut it in his debut season and murmurs of him looking for an exit are surfacing. This leaves the Toffees with no option but to bring in a competent goalscorer who will take on the goalscoring duties in the absence of Calvert-Lewin.
Everton interested in free agent Moussa Dembele
EFC have been following Udinese striker Beto since January. They even launched a bid for him in the winter transfer window but the Italian outfit knocked back the offer. Udinese are open to selling the Portuguese forward but are seeking compensation of €35 million, a huge figure for Everton, given their recent financial struggles.
Another striker that Everton are considering is Dembele. According to Fabrizio Romano, the French striker leaves Olympique Lyon as a free agent and will start a new chapter elsewhere. Back in January, the Toffees were in search of a striker and made an attempt to lure Dembele to Goodison Park. He was in the final six months of his contract and this was Lyon’s last chance to get some fee for him or they ran the risk of losing him on a free transfer in the summer.
At Lyon, Dembele had fallen down the pecking order as Laurent Blanc preferred Alexandre Lacazette to start over Dembele. The 26 year old made just eight Ligue 1 starts and playing a total of 867 minutes in the league, netting three goals in the process. According to Liverpool ECHO, EFC still hold interest in Dembele and are planning to sign two forwards in this transfer window.
With the 26 year old available on a free transfer, it’s a low risk option but it remains to be seen if the former Celtic man will want to join Everton, who have been in two consecutive relegation battles.
Will EFC succeed in signing free agent Moussa Dembele?