By Pranav Shahaney

31st Jan, 2023 | 7:40pm

Everton share close connection with Reading as they eye transfer for striker Lucas Joao

Everton could reportedly use their close connections with Reading as they eye a move for striker Lucas Joao amid links on transfer deadline day.

According to Berkshire Live journalist Jonathan Low, the two sides have a good relationship and there is something to the links.

This comes after Daily Mail journalist Simon Jones [15:16] reported that the Toffees were keen on signing the 6ft 4in Portuguese striker.

Via Twitter, Low wrote, “Mail reporting Everton are looking at signing Lucas Joao from #readingfc. Given the close connections between the two clubs, would say there is something in this so certainly one to keep an eye on over the next few hours. Today is the last day Royals can get a fee for him, too.”

Good profile

In terms of his playing attributes, the 29-year-old is known for his aerial prowess, physicality, and finishing ability and is also noted for his ability to hold up play and bring others into the game.

This will be ideal for Sean Dyche as he likes having tall and strong strikers up front who can bring others into play due to their link up ability.

He has flirted with call ups to the Portugal national team in the past and a good showing at Everton puts him right in contention.

He’s known for his immense leap and is considered to be strong at winning headers.

Not just getting to balls first, he has shown an ability to score goals with headers, both in open play and from set pieces, and his physicality and aerial ability have become an important part of his game.

Dyche relied a great deal on set pieces at Burnley and if he’s got Joao along with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, we can expect Everton to become much more of a set-piece threat.