You don't need to be a football genius to surmise that Everton are currently short of a potent goal threat.
An unfortunate injury to Dominic Calvert-Lewin and the sale of Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur has left the Blues alarmingly short on firepower, a situation that has only been magnified by the first two matches of the Premier League season, with the only goal for registered by that of a former player putting through his own net.
The shortcoming is there in plain sight, with one national media journalist describing Frank Lampard's side against Aston Villa as having all the "cutting edge of a plastic spatula". The Goodison Park boss knows the score and reinforcements are certainly on their way.
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But who is going to be the man who can fire the goals that get Everton up and running this season? If current rumblings are anything to go by, the answer may lie across the English channel in neighbouring France.
Esteemed French football newspaper L’Equipe has claimed that young Marseille forward Bamba Dieng has been offered to the Blues, although by the sounds of it they're not too fussed where he goes. The one-time European Cup winners are also believed to have touted their player for a move to Fulham and wild-spenders Nottingham Forest.
With the latter announcing the signing of Watford striker Emmanuel Dennis, it seems unlikely that Forest boss Steve Cooper would seek a further deal for Senegalese international Dieng and that leaves the door open for Toffees boss Lampard.
However, despite the French club's willingness to do business for the 22-year-old, Lampard and sporting director Kevin Thelwell must not be totally convinced, because although talks are said to have been held between both clubs, L'Equipe say no deal is imminent.
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A transfer that appears on the face of it to still be a possibility involves another French club, however. Serhou Guirassy was left out of Rennes' matchday squad on Saturday, as he is linked with move away from the club. The 26-year-old Guinea international made 48 appearances for the Ligue 1 club last season, scoring 12 goals.
But before supporters rush out to buy shirts with Guirassy on the back, a word of caution. Despite being in urgent need of a new goal-producer, Lampard did not give anything away after Saturday's defeat to Villa that suggested a deal for the Rennes forward was close or even on the table.
Is he keeping his cards close to his chest? Or is it just the case that Lampard is yet to find that right fit for Everton in terms of both ability and character? The answer may still lie on French shores, but with regards to Dieng and Guirassy, the verdict may still be 'non' from Lampard.
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