According to reports from Italian news outlet Calcio Mercato, Premier League trio Everton, Burnley and Newcastle United have joined the race to sign Nice forward Alassane Plea this summer.
The 25-year-old, who has built a formidable attacking partnership with Mario Balotelli this season, has been in terrific form throughout the entirety of the season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions. His twelve goals in the league this campaign have helped Nice remain in contention for the Europa League places in the Ligue 1.
However, the French outfit might find it difficult to keep hold of their star striker for the long-term with his exceptional performances already attracting a host of clubs in Europe, including Everton.
The Toffees, initially expected to make a strong case for the Champions League places at the start of this season, have been one of the most disappointing teams in Europe so far. Currently dawdling in the mid-table, the Merseyside giants have failed to make use of their plethora of star signings made last summer.
Lack of attacking potency has been one of the main reasons behind the inconsistency of Everton this season. Especially with the likes of Sandro Ramirez, Wayne Rooney, Shani Tarashaj and Dominic-Calvert Lewin failing to contribute in the attacking department, the Toffees are in desperate need of a new striker and that’s where Alassane Plea could come into the fray.
The 25-year-old has been a consistent goal-scorer in the French top-flight since his move to Nice, from Olympique Lyon in the summer of 2014. Since then, the Frenchman has netted 40 goals whilst assisting 22 times in just 129 games.
Although largely known for his goal-scoring abilities, Alassane Plea is much more than a regular striker. One of the things that makes him a unique component in the final third is his versatility. The ability to play in basically every offensive position lends him an upper hand over all the other modern-day strikers. He is just as comfortable playing up front as he is when drifting out wide to play as a natural winger.
This can be particularly helpful in the Premier League and even more so under the leadership of Sam Allardyce. The 25-year-old can easily be inducted into the 4-3-3 or even a 4-4-2 used by the former West Ham boss.
Therefore, the Merseyside giants should definitely take some strides towards securing the signature of the Nice attacking sensation, who can definitely prove to be a massive boost in the attacking department.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored