Everton want to sign Shankland as January transfer news emerges
Everton are targeting Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland amid interest from Celtic and several English clubs, according to HITC.
The online news outlet reported [3 January] that Everton have joined a long queue of British clubs interested in Shankland, who has scored 18 goals in all competitions so far this season.
It is understood that Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, Burnley, Southampton, Hull City and Middlesbrough are all keeping tabs on the 28-year-old, with Celtic’s Brendan Rodgers also an admirer of the striker.
The Toffees could be on the search for a new goalscorer, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin only netting four goals so far this season and Beto only three since signing for Everton in the summer.
A worrying statistic
The fact that Abdoulaye Doucoure is Everton’s leading goalscorer this season with just six goals will be a worry for Sean Dyche.
With a brilliant run of four victories against Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Burnley, carrying the weight of their new 10-point deduction, the Toffees looked to have already escaped the risk of relegation.
However, with three consecutive losses to Tottenham, Manchester City and Wolves, and Luton Town winning two games on the bounce, safety is not guaranteed once again.
Goalscoring is a concern at Goodison Park, recording the joint-fifth-lowest number of goals scored in the Premier League, with the three promotion sides in Burnley, Luton and Sheffield United doing worse.
Calvert-Lewin has not hit the back of the net since a 1-0 win over West Ham in October. There will be no surprise if Everton dip into the transfer market in January to poach their own poacher, with Shankland the most in-form striker in the Scottish Premiership.
Everton will need to keep a close eye on the price tag, though. Their recent punishment for a breach in Profit and Sustainability rules will put a very tight cap on the club’s spending capabilities unless they can make room for any potential outgoings.
In other Everton news, Paul Brown has mooted a new contract for an exit-linked Toffees player.