Everton set to miss out on key transfer as Atalanta close to signing El Bilal Toure
Atalanta are poised to beat Everton to the signing of Almeria striker El Bilal Toure, who the Toffees have been linked to often in recent weeks, according to L’Equipe.
The French news outlet have shared that Atalanta are one step ahead of all competition for Toure’s signature, especially Everton, although the Merseyside club still hope to persuade the striker to join them.
The fee is set to be north of £17million, with that being the reported fee Atalanta are willing to pay Almeria for their striker’s services this summer. Everton had previously been rumoured to have made a £34million bid [Sacha Tavolieri, 3 July], but that talk has died down recently.
There are other moves on the cards
Everton have not put all their eggs in the same basket with Toure, as they have been linked to several other strikers this summer, who the club can now turn their attention to after losing out here.
While it will be disappointing for the club to have missed out on a player who was a top target, the other names mentioned including Sheffield United star Iliman Ndiaye, Swansea’s Joel Piroe and Leeds’ Spaniard Rodrigo, would be more than adequate options for the Toffees.
Ndiaye, in particular, looks like a fantastic option for Sean Dyche’s side, as he ranks in the 99th percentile of tackles and blocks among strikers in the Championship, while also being in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons. [Stats from fbref.com]
News on Rodrigo is expected to speed up next week, while a deal for Piroe could be made regardless of Ellis Simms’ move to Coventry City after Swansea held an interest.
In other Everton news, sources have spoken out regarding new investment.