Everton's pursuit for a forward has entered into the final two weeks of the transfer window and time is ticking for the Toffees to get one over the line before September 1.
Frank Lampard is desperate to add a striker to his squad with Dominic Calvert-Lewin out for another month, while Richarlison is no longer at the club after he joined Tottenham for £60million. Salomon Rondon is the Toffees' only recognised central forward in the squad fit at the moment, but he has scored just three times in 23 games.
It saw Lampard opt to play with Anthony Gordon up front in their 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa last time out, with Demarai Gray and Dwight McNeil either side of him. Despite deciding to play with three so-called 'wingers' in the loss at Villa Park, Lampard wants an out-and-out No.9 and the Toffees continue to be linked with another forward.
So, with that in mind, here are four options they could look at.
Neal Maupay
The 26-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Seagulls this summer after falling out of favour, with Danny Welbeck and Deniz Undav ahead of him in the pecking order. Maupay was left out of the Brighton squad for their 0-0 draw against Newcastle United last Saturday.
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Everton have expressed an interest in the Frenchman, with Fulham and Nottingham Forest both keen on the player. Maupay joined the Seagulls from Brentford for £20m in 2019 and played in all but one Premier League game in his first season, scoring 10 goals in 37 appearances. He struck a further eight times in the following campaign, before also finding the net on eight occasions.
Who should Everton target as their next No.9? Let us know in the comments below!
Serhou Guirassy
The Guinea international is a player many Everton fans won't know too much about, but he could be an astute addition if they play to his strengths. Guirassy impressed for Rennes against Leicester City in the Europa Conference League last season and is superb in the air - something Everton lack with Calvert-Lewin out.
Guirassy scored 12 times in 48 appearances across all competitions last season, but was often used a substitute as Rennes decided to go with a quicker forward. He has since been linked with a move to Everton over the summer, though, and the 26-year-old
Michy Batshuayi
With Chelsea willing to listen to offers for the experienced forward, Batshuayi would likely provide a solid temporary solution for the Toffees in the absence of Calvert-Lewin. He is a proven goalscorer, having bagged 136 times in 387 senior club career appearances. As recently as last season, he reinforced his tally with a respectable 14-goal haul whilst on loan at Besiktas.
The Belgium ace also contributed with 0.8 key passes per game and a 76% passing success rate, and even in Calvert-Lewin’s absence, the Toffees could benefit through Batshuayi's link-up play. Having already featured 77 times in the Premier League, he knows the division well and would not need time to acclimate. This is crucial for an Everton side that have lost their opening two games.
Ollie Watkins
After impressing against the Toffees last weekend, Watkins has been linked with a switch to Goodison Park. The 26-year-old grabbed two assists as Steven Gerrard's side secured their first victory of the season. Watkins set-up the first after running down the right channel and pulling the ball across for Danny Ings, who lashed home from just inside the box. This is before he put one on a plate for Emiliano Buendia to wrap up the three points late on.
It was an excellent all-round performance from Watkins and Everton are interested in a move for the former Brentford attacker. Football Insider report that the Toffees have added Watkins to their list of transfer targets as the striker struck 11 goals in 35 appearances for Villa last season.
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