Everton transfer news: El Bilal Toure has £34.2m release clause, Almeria open to sale
Everton want to sign Almeria striker El Bilal Toure and have been told the first team to agree to pay his release clause can sign him.
The Toffees need to strengthen their attacking department this season and have been linked with a move for the Mali striker as a replacement for Neal Maupay.
It has now emerged that the 21-year-old has a €40m release clause (£34.2m) according to Diario De Almeria (9 June) and with the Spanish club open to a sale it’s simply down to whoever can pay up first to get a deal done.
“In the entity from Almería they are aware of the interest that the erruption of the Malian striker has aroused in the Spanish League, becoming the top scorer of the Rojiblanco team with 7 goals in 21 games, and that its termination clause, set at 40 million after acquiring it as property from the Stade de Reims for an amount close to 10 million, is affordable for a championship of the English’s potential,” they wrote.
“The first approaches with the Rojiblanca sports management would already be taking place and since El Assy has never been reluctant to start conversations if the sale is considered productive, the first to put that amount on the table and have the approval of the agent of the player will probably get his services.”
Race on
It seems clear now that Everton will be going in heavy for a striker this summer, and it’s all about which one they want the most.
Toure is a very talented footballer capable of playing across the forward line, but he doesn’t really strike us as a Sean Dyche type of forward.
The club have been linked with a move for Wout Weghorst too which seems to suit Dyche’s needs better, but we need more than just one option and that could be Toure comes into it.
West Ham, Juventus, Burnley, Brentford, Wolves and Bayer Leverkusen are also said to be interested in his signature and with the release clause active and Almeria not looking to make things difficult, Everton will need to make up their minds quickly and move.
A deal could be done and the Toffees now know the price, so it’s on Dyche and the board to stump up the cash or walk away.