Everton transfer news: Atalanta confident to head off El Bilal Toure race with £15.5m cash from deal on brink of completion
Atalanta are set to finalise the sale of Jeremie Boga to Nice and could look to sink the cash into their pursuit of El Bilal Touré to head off Everton, according to Alfredo Pedulla.
Former Chelsea man Boga is set to land them up to €18million [£15.5m] as they “cash in” on the deal, and they are apparently confident they can turn it around and land Almeria’s Touré ahead of the Toffees.
The Italians reportedly believe they have successfully got a head start on Everton and can now push to close the deal for the man from La Liga.
According to Italian journalist Pedulla, via his website: “Atalanta plans to cash in between 15 and 18 million and could decide to sink for El Bilal Touré, under Almeria, just to anticipate some English club that have recently set their sights on the attacker…
“Atalanta believes they have moved in time and now they want to accelerate in the direction of El Bilal Touré.”
Overconfidnent?
With Fabrizio Romano reporting (24 July) that the two clubs remain in talks after offering the same amount, and Alan Myers (23 July) giving each side an equal chance of success, it would seem that the feeling in Bergamo is more secure than it should be.
Until reports on Sunday night (23 July) the assumption logically was that the Europa League qualifiers would be ahead in the race.
But clearly Everton feel they can come out on top still otherwise there would have been no point in pushing it this far for this long.
Sean Dyche certainly needs a striker this summer, and after missing out on Rodrigo from Leeds United it looks like the young Mali international is the primary option.
If Atalanta believe they can up their offer to edge the Toffees out of the equation then perhaps it would be their deal to lose.
But until a contract is signed and the 21-year-old is unveiled in England or Italy it remains in the balance, and until there is further concrete news Everton appear ready to continue battling.
In other Everton news, a first-team Toffees ace is “ready” to leave and the club will use the proceeds to offset their spending on the Touré push.