Everton keen to launch a bid for £21.5m striker but cannot match Atalanta’s offer

Everton (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Everton (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Everton are searching for a striker this summer and have a number of names on their short list. Almeria striker El Bilal Toure is a striker that Everton admire but his transfer is not going to be easy.

EFC manager Sean Dyche wants to bring to strikers to Goodison Park this summer as he doesn’t want to gamble on Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s fitness. The English striker missed 21 Premier League games because of various injuries and when your primary striker misses more than 50% of the league games, it doesn’t impart much confidence.

EFC do not have another reliable striker in their ranks as Neal Maupay has failed to impress. Ellis Simms is not yet ready to lead the line and a decision over his future needs to be taken soon. Everton have several strikers on their radar with free agents Moussa Dembele and Alfredo Morelos linked, Viktor Gyokeres of Coventry City linked and Antonio Sanabria of Torino also associated with a move to Goodison Park.

Everton keen to launch an offer for El Bilal Toure

Almeria striker Bilal Toure continues to be linked with a move to the Toffees. EFC are not the only side keen on the Malian international. Along with EFC, Burnley and West Ham United are also keeping tabs on the 21 year old. Bilal Toure has a release clause of £34.2 million which no side have triggered yet.

The Malian scored seven goals in 21 La Liga appearances this season and has proven to have high potential. He is certainly one to watch but EFC will find it difficult to sign the Mali international as other clubs remain in the race.

With Manchester United plotting a move for Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund, the Serie A outfit is already planning to sign his replacement. La Dea view Bilal Toure as a possible candidate to replace Hojlund and have opened talks with the Spanish club over a £21.5 million deal. According to 90min, Everton are also keen to submit an offer but at the moment they cannot match Atalanta’s bid.

Everton’s financial struggles have been well documented as they continue to walk on thin ice in terms of spending limits. The Toffees will first have to sell one of their key assets and fund a rebuild through that sale. With Everton not being able to afford a £21.5m deal does indicate how poorly managed Everton’s finances have been and how little wriggle room they have this summer.

Should EFC push for El Bilal Toure?