Anthony Onifade

Fri 14 July 2023 12:10, UK

Swansea City striker Joel Piroe has emerged as a top target for Everton this summer, but the Toffees may have to prepare a big-money offer to secure their man after Sky Sports News shared an intriguing update.

The 23-year-old swiftly emerged as one of the Championship’s most ruthless finishers over the past two campaigns, notching 19 goals from 45 appearances last season after hitting 24 goals the previous term.

Piroe looks almost certain to leave Swansea this summer and is now attracting Premier League interest from Everton and Nottingham Forest [Wales Online, 29 June] after a stunning campaign, with his contract still having a year left to run.

Journalist Paul Brown, speaking to GiveMeSport (7 July), suggested that Piroe would be interested in a move to Goodison Park this summer handing the Toffees all the encouragement they need to secure his signature.

However, in an intriguing new update provided by Sky Sports on Thursday (13 July), Everton may have to let the cash fly this summer if they want to secure Piroe’s signature.

According to the update, it is believed that Swans are bracing themselves for offers on the Dutch striker and the Welsh club are prepared to use Gyokeres’ £20m departure from Coventry City to Portuguese outfit Sporting as a benchmark for Piroe’s value in this window, despite him having just a year on his deal.

Everton have reportedly made tentative enquiries for the talented striker but are yet to firm up their interest, and given their financial struggles as of late, the £20m fee may prove a potential stumbling block for the Toffees this summer.

Swansea City’s lofty valuation is certainly understandable as receiving such a figure could well prove a game-changer for the whole club.

However, Everton’s desperation for a striker this summer means Sean Dyche may well force Farhad Moshiri and Kevin Thelwell to put his money where his mouth is and secure the services of a striker who could prove a perfect component in Dyche’s new revolution at Goodison Park.

Given the Toffees’ damning goalscoring exploits last season, finishing as the division’s second-lowest scorers (34 goals), signing a striker is absolutely high on their priority list and Piroe represents the perfect candidate to lead the club forward.

At 23 years, and blessed with unique attributes as a lone frontman, Piroe looks like a great name to pursue this summer. Certainly, the Premier League may seem a huge step up for the Dutchman, but we’ve seen numerous current stars make the grade and instantly become household names.

Piroe not only holds the qualities to become one but also possesses the confidence and character to become a serious success story, which is why a fee north of £20m may prove an absolute snip in the long run.

The forward, dubbed “outstanding” by his former manager Russell Martin has enjoyed life at the Welsh club over the previous few seasons as stated previously, scoring 24 goals in 2021/22 and finding the net on 19 occasions this season, suggesting he is a prolific frontman that can score on a regular basis.

Piroe will solve plenty of the burning attacking issues in the Everton squad but is also blessed with the size, bullish characteristics and clinical goalscoring attributes to become a serious weapon for Dyche next season.

He demonstrated his importance this season for Swansea by ranking third for big chances created (five), first for goals (19) and first for shots on target per game, displaying his all-round attacking abilities.

Strikers do not come easy or affordable in the market these days and with the Toffees’ rivals set to splash the cash, Everton can’t afford to fall behind on their transfer ambitions once more. It’s time the club hierarchy let the cash fly in order to provide Dyche with the tools to transform the club’s fortunes.

Piroe represents a smart focal point to kick things off.

In other Everton news, an approach has been made for a La Liga sensation who scored against champions Barcelona last season.