Everton set for El Bilal Toure answer in next 48 hours amid ‘advanced talks’ update – Sky Sports’ Alan Myers
Everton are in “advanced talks” with El Bilal Toure and “working really hard to make it happen” according to Alan Myers.
The Mali international striker, 21, has been targeted by the Toffees for some weeks as they look to fill a glaring need at the striker position, and have already offered £25million to bring him in [The Mirror, 13 July].
They face heavy competition from Atalanta, as Fabrizio Romano reported earlier on Sunday evening (23 July) that both clubs were still “fighting” to win the race for the Almeria player, and Myers believes a result should come within the next 48 hours.
Reporting via Twitter Sunday night the Sky Sports journalist wrote: “Everton are in advanced talks to sign Almeria striker El Bilal Toure with the 21 year old also talking with Atalanta, decision expected in the next couple of days.”
Asked if Toure was the mystery third signing he had hinted at earlier in the day he replied: “Yes, club working really hard to make it happen.”
He then further added on the prospect of losing out to Atalanta: “To be fair the club is doing everything it needs to, won’t be down to them if it doesn’t happen.”
Two horse race
It is surely going to be a tricky battle to win when Atalanta qualified for the Europa League after finishing fifth in Serie A last season, but if the Toffees have got this far then there is clearly a chance, however small.
Should Toure opt to head to Italy it might call into question the wisdom of spending this amount of time fighting a losing battle, unless there is a viable alternative in the works.
He is still relatively unproven at the top level, but his talent and potential are clearly enough to see two clubs putting up decent money to sign him.
Should Everton finally land a sought-after striker it would end months of disappointment on that front, and leave fans and coaches alike desperately hoping he can adapt to the Premier League quickly.
The club have already righted one winter wrong by completing a loan deal for Arnaut Danjuma, after the Villarreal winger backed out of a similar arrangement in January to head to Tottenham.
So, after missing out on a whole host of striker targets in the same window, it would be an encouraging one-two punch to also land one now and correct that disappointment.
Clearly Sean Dyche and the recruitment department have decided he can be the right man for next term, so all eyes will now be on the 15 cap international for a decision.
In other Everton news, there is renewed hope that another long-mooted attacking deal this summer could still be on before the window shuts.