Everton make progress in chase of £34.4m striker as £3.7m a year contract offered

Almeria striker El Bilal Toure has been on Everton’s shortlist for a while now and the Toffees seem to be making some progress in the chase of the Malian striker. Everton need to reinforce their striker department this summer and given their struggles last season, they need to do it quickly.

The Toffees were the second lowest goalscoring side in the Premier League with just 34 goals in 38 games, only better than Wolves. For majority of the season, EFC operated without Dominic Calvert-Lewin in good shape as the Englishman remained sidelined with injuries. Neal Maupay was underwhelming and Demarai Gray was decent but not a traditional striker.

The Toffees have already been strongly linked to strikers like Coventry City’s Viktor Gyokeres, Leeds United striker Rodrigo, free agent Moussa Dembele and Swansea City forward Joel Piroe. There are other strikers linked too but the aforementioned names regularly circulate in the Everton transfer circles.

Everton table offer for Almeria striker El Bilal Toure

Early in June, the Merseysiders had been linked with Almeria’s Bilal Toure. Everton were keeping tabs on the Malian forward but were aware of the competition for the striker. Bilal Toure impressed in his debut season with Almeria, netting seven goals in 21 La Liga games. The 21 year old forward has a release clause of €40 million (£34.4 million) in his contract.

EFC remained interested in Bilal Toure but faced competition from Atalanta and other English clubs. Everton seem to have made a move to sign the 21 year old as journalist Sacha Tavolieri has reported that the Merseysiders have tabled a £34.4m bid.

Everton have made an offer to Bilal Toure, offering him a five year deal and a salary of £3.7 million gross salary per season. The Malian has no shortage of suitors as Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Fulham are also keen on the striker and are keen to join the transfer battle. No offer has yet arrived from any Serie A club but the race is expected to heat up as a number of sides remain Bilal Toure’s admirers.

Almeria are reluctant to sell Bilal Toure but with Everton ready to trigger the release clause, it all depends on Bilal Toure. At this point, it is difficult to comprehend how EFC are able to table such a high bid given their fragile economic condition. Perhaps, the payment terms would be favourable to Everton with the payment being in parts because EFC will not be able to afford the upfront payment unless they make substantial sales.

Will Everton manage to sign El Bilal Toure?