Everton are reportedly hopeful of completing a deal for UD Almeria striker El Bilal Toure but face competition from Serie A side Atalanta.
The Toffees have signed Ashley Young on a free transfer and Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal so far this summer. They remain in the market for more signings as Sean Dyche looks to avoid another season battling relegation.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Everton will continue negotiations with UD Almeria this week to get the signing of El Bilal Toure done, although Atalanta still remain in the race.
Toure, 21, enjoyed his breakthrough campaign in Spain after signing from Reims last summer, registering seven goals and two assists in 21 La Liga appearances as Almeria narrowly avoid relegation. He scored a vital equaliser against Atletico Madrid and the winning goal against champions Barcelona.
The Mali international’s performances in Almeria colours haven’t gone unnoticed, with Everton among many clubs following his progress. The Merseyside club have been tracking the 21-year-old forward for around 18 months and look set firm up an approach this week.
El Bilal Toure to Everton—Good move?
Everton are very much focusing on signing attacking players in the summer transfer window, having finished the last season as second-lowest scorers in the Premier League.
An injury-hit campaign limited Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s game time as he managed only two goals in the league, while Neal Maupay failed to make an impact upon his arrival from Brighton last summer. Ellis Simms has been sold to Coventry City earlier this month, and with Demarai Gray set to be cashed in following the arrival of Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal, Sean Dyche is seeking attacking reinforcements before the 2023/24 campaign commences.
The Toffees are now in pursuit of El Bilal Toure, as Dyche bids to end his side’s woes in front of goal. Toure showed great potential after scoring seven goals in 21 league appearances in his first season at Almeria, and he could take the pressure off Calvert-Lewin, who has endured a difficult time with injury problems in the last 12-15 months.
The Malian striker has had his strengths identified through his explosive pace, great strength, aerial ability and sense of goal, making him the perfect fit to add productivity to Dyche’s side in front of goal. Still raw and developing, the 21-year-old could be given the chance to shine as the leading man at Goodison Park next season, if Calvert-Lewin fails to keep himself fit again. He could pump much-needed vigour and spark to the Everton attack, whilst being an upgrade on Maupay.
With Atalanta still in the race as they potentially prepare for life after Rasmus Hojlund, Everton must accelerate their pursuit of Toure.