Outstanding’ Everton-linked ace can help Dyche kill two birds as transfer news drops
The Toffees have long been linked with a move for the Mali international after a solid campaign in La Liga last season, scoring seven goals and registering two assists leading to plenty of interest from several other clubs across Europe.
According to The Guardian (4 July), it’s believed that Fulham are one of the Premier League clubs interested in the player’s services should star man Aleksandr Mitrovic depart Craven Cottage this summer, but the Toffees are currently the frontrunners for Toure’s signature.
Toure holds a €40m [£34.3m] release clause, which Everton are willing to trigger as reported by reliable Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri (3 July) and Almeria managing director Mohammed El Assy has confirmed that Everton have indeed tabled a bid for striker El Bilal Toure this summer, speaking in an interview with Spanish outlet Diario De Almeria (4 July).
Everton’s desperate need for attacking reinforcements were made evidently clear by their dreadful goalscoring record last season, hitting just 34 goals in 38 games – the second-worst record in the division.
And it’s certainly no wonder why Sean Dyche is hell-bent on adding two new strikers to his ranks in order to fill the frustrating void of Dominic Calvert-Lewin who regularly takes trips to the Goodison Park treatment table and Neal Maupay’s failure in his first season.
However, it’s not only the striker position which needs desperate reinforcements but in the wide areas also, especially with the likes of Alex Iwobi expressing his desire to play Champions League football elsewhere, and Demarai Gray also potentially departing Goodison Park.
With Everton strapped for cash right now due to Farhad Moshiri desperately trying to get outside investment to ease the pressures the club are under, Dyche may be forced to sign a small number of players blessed with the ability to fill a number of gaping positions, and Bilal Toure represents an astute acquisition on that front.
Blessed with the abilities to play with both feet, the “outstanding” young striker can indeed help Dyche kill two birds with one stone due to his unique capabilities of playing either on the left or the right flank, as well as upfront.
Known for his terrifying and electric pace, and his knack for the spectacular in an Almeria shirt on last season’s evidence, it’s no wonder why the La Liga club have slapped a £30m-plus price tag on his back.
The 21-year-old represents a stark upgrade on Maupay, scoring seven times in only 15 La Liga starts last term, as well as being a 13-cap Mali international, which suggests the Toffees are eyeing up an exciting piece of business this summer.
But also, Dyche could potentially line him with a hopefully fit Dominic Calvert-Lewin in his tried and trusted 4-4-2 formation or with another striker which Everton may hope to sign this summer. Toure certainly adds a host of variation to attacks and it’s why the Toffees would be silly not to pursue his incredibly gifted services.
With the club facing some hefty restrictions in regards to their spending this summer, this deal may arouse some considerable complications, although, it’s been reported that the Toffees want to spread payment for Toure over three or four instalments due to their FFP restrictions which may tempt Almeria who are in financial constraints of their own.
If Everton have the wiggle room to cough up much of the cash, then this is one they must get done this summer.
In other Everton news, one journalist has mooted summer exits for three Toffees players who give Dyche a “major headache.”