Almeria striker El Bilal Toure set to jet in as decision made over Atalanta and Everton
Almeria striker El Bilal Toure is set to jet into Italy in the next 48 hours as he will join Atalanta over Everton, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.
The Italian newspaper claims [26 July, Page 20] that the 21-year-old will be moving to the Serie A outfit for £25.7million.
The Toffees, who appeared to be neck in neck in the race to sign the Mali international, have now lost out and will need to look at other options.
Move on
This one seemed difficult to happen in the first place as Atalanta certainly were the favourites to secure his services.
Unless Toure was desperate to play in the Premier League, the Serie A side looked to be in the driver’s seat as they can offer him European football.
Everton, on the other hand, have fought relegation battles two seasons in a row and do not have the financial pull to offer him higher wages than the market would.
The Toffees and Sean Dyche surely will have a plan in mind and may have lined up alternatives in case the Toure deal does not work out.
It remains to be seen whether or not they now look to prioritise a move for Leeds United attacker Wilfried Gnonto.
The Italy international can play as a striker as well and with Arnaut Danjuma signed, the Toffees and Dyche perhaps see him leading the line if they do sign him.
In other Everton news, an exit-linked Toffees player has recently been spotted in talks with a senior Goodison Park figure ahead of the new season.