Bid rejected: Everton rebuffed in £26.7m move for Rafael Leao – report
Everton have been knocked back in their approach to sign AC Milan forward Rafael Leao despite a £26.7million offer, according to Calcio Mercato.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been a leading light for Everton this season with his 11 Premier League goals helping to establish the side as serious contenders for the European places this season but there are a dearth of options behind him.
Cenk Tosun is the only other recognised striker in the squad but he is well out of favour at Goodison Park, evidenced in Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to start with no forward during a 2-1 victory at Wolves on January 12.
As such the Blues could seriously do with bolstering their ranks and Italian outlet Calcio Mercato report that they have tried to do just that with a bid for Milan attacker Leao.
They claim that Everton “really tried” for the Portugal U-21 attacker and offered £26.7million to secure his services but the Italian giants considered the offer to be too low.
With a week remaining in the January transfer window the director of football Marcel Brands will have to hurry in his attempts to add more quality to the Everton front line.
Tough deal to complete
It is no surprise to see reports linking the Blues with Leao such has been his terrific form this season.
While he started slow at the San Siro following his move from Lille in August 2019 Leao has really come on leaps and bounds during this campaign and has scored five goals in 14 Serie A appearances while also giving four assists.
He is a versatile attacker capable of playing across the front line in a similar manner to Richarlison.
Per WhoScored he has appeared six times from the left while making the same number of starts up front as he has helped to lead the line in the absence of talismanic figure Zlatan Ibrahimovic who has struggled with injury issues recently.
However it is for these very reasons that Milan are unlikely to let him leave unless a huge offer comes in for him.
Stefano Pioli’s side are currently top of Serie A and are eying a first title since 2010-11 so they will be loath to let him go midway through the season.
The Blues will have to substantially up their offer or look elsewhere.
In other Everton news, Ancelotti backs injury-riddled midfielder to star when he returns.