Everton’s hopes of signing Lorient forward Dango Ouattara have reportedly received a boost.
Ouattara is one of a number of forwards who have been linked with the Blues so far in the January transfer window. Frank Lampard has long spoken about the need to bring in attacking reinforcements this month.
And now according to French publication L’Equipe, the French side have been 'slow' to offer a new deal to the 20-year-old and that has left his future in doubt. His current deal only runs until 2024
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A report earlier in the week claimed that Ouattara is in big demand after catching the eye for Lorient, with Everton, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Leicester City all said to be keen on him. The forward has scored six times in 18 appearances so far this season.
Speaking about transfers on Friday, Blues boss Lampard said: “I don’t want to say things to ease frustration for the sake of it, it would be words. Of course we want the action of bringing people in.
“As we see, it’s January, clubs around us are doing it, the Premier League is constantly moving forwards, every team.
“Obviously we’re working towards that and we need to do that because we need to help the squad and as a coach, that’s what I want because I want to have more competition, particularly in attacking areas which is the main part of our game when you look at this season where we’ve been short and that affects points, results and feeling.”
Everton's need for reinforcements was underlined on Saturday as they were beaten 2-1 at home by fellow strugglers Southampton to slip to joint-bottom of the Premier League with their opponents.
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