Forest might move on from Nketiah opening way for Everton to sign striker

Everton have added several more forwards as the club's brains trust of Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell tried to strengthen the team's attack.

Iliman Ndiaye, Jesper Lindstrom and the returning Jack Harrison, have been brought in by the Blues to make a positive difference to the side's struggles in front of goal.

Last season Everton only managed a paltry forty goals, barely only just over a goal-a-game in a thirty-eight match Premier League campaign.

There was a fundamental lack of width, creativity and most of all, goals in Dyche's team, which simply had to be addressed in the off-season.

Adding these three players so early on was a statement that the Toffees were determined to get their transfer business done as soon as possible, unlike in previous windows. That seemed to be the end of the signings.. for now anyway.

So far, those players contributions have been mixed with Harrison making the most consistent impact while Ndiaye and Lindstrom have had only a fleeting influence.

Meanwhile, the season opening day defeat last weekend indicated that this Blues side has still not solved that goal-scoring problem.

To be fair, Lindstrom strangely did not get any playing time against Brighton and Ndiaye only came on later when the game was probably already gone.

So, there appears to be room for further additions who can augment these three and provide a bit more firepower.

The problem is that Everton do not have much money to spend given all the debt the club is carrying and having splashed out a bit on those signings, together with midfielder Tim Iroegbunam and central defender Jake O'Brien.

This situation is compounded by the ongoing and seemingly endless uncertainty over the Toffees future and who will eventually take over and become the new owner.

One other dimension is the continuing rumours that Dominic Calvert-Lewin might well leave this summer, with Newcastle United strongly linked to the ex-England international.

If Calvert-Lewin does depart, Everton will need to bring in a replacement as otherwise they are relying on centre-forwards Neal Maupay, Beto and the currently injured Yousef Chermiti.

None of them are exactly prolific, although to be fair Beto has had limited consistent chances and Chermiti is still very young with even fewer minutes in the Premier League.

Having said that, none are top-drawer strikers and Maupay will also almost certainly be sold before this transfer window closes, leaving the team with even fewer options up front.

Rumours have emerged that the Blues will consider a move for several other strikers - presumably as a fall-back were Calvert-Lewin to leave - with Amando Broja and Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah the main candidates.

Forest were also supposedly keen on Nketiah providing some potential competition, but today a report claims they are pulling the plug on a deal and moving on to other targets. Although, other outlets claim a deal is still on!

If Forest do not get a deal done, it could leave the door open for Everton to move in and perhaps look at a loan deal for the young English forward who wants more regular football than he will get at the Emirates.

It still seems unlikely that the Toffees will go down this road - not least because Arsenal will probably prefer a permanent transfer - which the Blues cannot afford.

That could change quickly though if both Maupay and more importantly Calvert-Lewin, goes and Everton need to replace their first-choice striker and provide more depth and competition at centre-forward.