George Overhill

Sun 23 July 2023 19:47, UK

Everton are “still pushing” to sign El Bilal Toure despite the presence of Atalanta in the race for the Almeria forward, Fabrizio Romano reports.

The youngster, 21, is set to leave La Liga this summer and the Toffees have offered £25million to land him [The Mirror, 13 July], but so far to no avail.

However, despite Serie A side Atalanta seemingly edging ahead in the race [Romano, 23 July] the latest update has put Everton well involved still as they look to finally land a long-awaited striker.

Reporting on Twitter Sunday night (23 July) Romano wrote: “Understand Everton are still pushing to sign El Bilal Touré while Atalanta are on it too. Both clubs are in the race, fighting to sign Almeria striker.

“Negotiations will continue next week to get it done.”

Intent

In light of the Toffees’ financial situation this was starting to look like one that would be out of their reach, with Almeria wanting to set a new club record for cash brought in.

But if the club are refusing to give up on the deal there must be a belief that they can get it done, despite strong competition from Italy.

Questions will have to be asked whether spending big money on a young forward who only has 16 top flight goals in Spain and France in his entire career so far is a sensible gamble.

But if Everton triumph in this race and he ends up being a leading man for Sean Dyche then it will, obviously, have been a risk worth taking.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury woes have left Everton begging for a top-level striker alternative since Richarlison was sold to Tottenham.

Neal Maupay wasn’t the right man for the job last season and Ellis Simms has now been sold, so somebody needs to be brought in and fast.

It appears that Everton are convinced that Toure is their man, so perhaps he will be the third signing after Arnaut Danjuma and Ashley Young.

In other Everton news, another attacking signing is still “one to watch” with more departures tipped from a “really busy” club.