Everton line up second bid to seal Dango Ouattara transfer

Everton are reportedly preparing a second bid in order to secure the services of Lorient in the January transfer window.

According to TEAMtalk journalist Harry Watkinson, the Toffees had their first bid for the 20-year-old turned down but are still intent on signing him.

Foot Mercato reported on 8 January that Everton had submitted an opening bid of £17million for the Burkina Faso international.

Watkinson wrote, "Most likely transfer links for #EFC at the moment:

• Broadhead to Ipswich (almost a done deal)
• Tom Davies to Rangers
• We are lining up a second bid for Lorient winger Dango Outtara (EFC had an initial bid rejected, Leeds also interested)."

Too expensive?

Ouatarra appears to be reaching that valuation where he will not be affordable for the Toffees.

£17million is quite a fair amount for a player that's unproven outside Ligue 1 and still extremely raw.

There are no guarantees that a move to the Premier League would suddenly turn him into a world beater and an immediate game changer for Frank Lampard's side.

It remains to be seen how much Lorient end up demanding and whether or not there are any other clubs looking to sign him and pay that kind of money.

If not, his valuation will automatically drop and they could look to do a deal at what Everton were previously looking to offer.

However, that's a risky game and the Toffees cannot afford to waste that kind of time in January and need to quickly move on to securing other targets.

They could look to rekindle interest in Ben Brereton Diaz too, especially given his contractual situation at Blackburn so we will certainly watch this space.