Everton transfer news as Euro clubs join race to sign Mama Balde
Everton have been joined by clubs in Ligue 1 and the German Bundesliga in the race to sign Troyes striker Mama Balde, according to Sky Sports.
According to Sky Sports, reporting in their transfer live blog (21 August), Sheffield United and Burnley are also in the race for his signature with the French club wanting around £7m to sell this summer.
BBC journalist Mike Minay reported on 18 August that Everton were keen on signing Balde and UK radio talkSPORT shared (20 August) that the Toffees had identified the striker as a potential forward option this summer after seeing a bid for Che Adams rejected.
However, Everton have now been joined in the race by clubs in France and Germany in the race to sign Balde, who scored 12 goals in 34 games for Troyes in Ligue 1 last season.
Bargain buy
Everton are in the market for at least one new attacker with two weeks of the transfer window to go, having seen their goalscoring problems from last season continue into the new campaign after defeats to Fulham and Aston Villa.
A £12m bid has been lodged for Southampton’s Che Adams [Sky Sports], and it appears the Blues are edging closer to his signature (The Telegraph, 20 August) while Youssef Chermiti arrived from Sporting CP last week for close to £13m.
It also remains to be seen if the Merseyside outfit will officially go back in for Leeds United’s Willy Gnonto, having had four previous bids knocked back [Sky Sports].
But, Everton’s desperate need for attacking reinforcements are abundantly clear right now as Sean Dyche looks to rejuvenate the attack and Balde could represent an exciting bargain deal after his exploits in Ligue 1 last season registering 12 goals and three assists, including a spectacular brace in last October’s 4-3 thriller with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Guinea-Bissau international also ranked in the top 20% of all forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last season for dribbles attempted [The Analyst], meaning he’d prove an unpredictable and secret wing option should he make the move to Goodison Park.
Available for potentially a bargain price, it is obvious why a trio of Premier League clubs and clubs across Europe are in the hunt for Balde, but can Everton compete within such difficult competition?
In other Everton news, Southampton manager Russell Martin has provided an update on Everton-linked Adams’ future.