Everton have been linked with a move for El Bilal Toure but what might the Almeria striker offer the Blues?
Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri reports that a number of Premier League clubs are in the market to sign the player who scored six goals in 18 games last season and claims Everton have put €40million (£34.37m) on the table – the figure of Toure's release clause – and offered a five-year deal at €4.3million gross per year while Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest and Fulham keen to join the fight.
However, with Financial Fair Play restrictions still biting after the excesses of Everton’s previous period of profligacy – last summer owner Farhad Moshiri admitted: “We have not always spent significant amounts of money wisely” when issuing an apology to supporters – it remains to be seen whether the Blues are prepared to splash out such an amount on a player who still very much falls into the up-and-coming prospect category. The ECHO understands that doubts over the availability of funds contributed to Everton not signing anyone in the January transfer window despite director of football Kevin Thelwell having been looking to bring in a couple of new attacking players and Anthony Gordon being sold to Newcastle United for £45million.
