(Credit: Imago)

Everton told Assane Diao price tag as Nottingham Forest transfer hijack possible

Alex is a lifelong Sunderland supporter who's been reporting on Mackem News since April 2025. Indeed, he started working for Breaking Media in April and has since graduated from St Mary's University as a NCTJ Gold Standard-accredited journalist, having completed his Master's degree in Sports Journalism. Alex previously worked for Football League World and has featured on the Roker Report, providing his opinion on all things Sunderland. While getting to the games is tricky, given his job, one of the highlights of his life was watching (and crying) as the Black Cats defeated Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium last season.

Published on:

04 Aug 2025, 2:40 am

David Moyes needs more signings through the Everton door ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Toffees have made a handful of additions so far, but the Scot has voiced his concern about his current squad.

Three of the Merseyside outfit's new acquisitions featured against Man United, with Thierno Barry, Carlos Alcaraz, and Adam Aznou all playing for Everton.

Now, the North-West club have been told what they must pay for Assane Diao as a Nottingham Forest hijack is on.

Aznou joined from Bayern Munich (Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

Everton told how much to pay for Diao after Forest bid rejected

Everton tried to land Diao during his time at Real Betis, and this summer they have reignited their interest.

Moyes is short of wingers, with no natural options on the right, and Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye as options on the left.

Diao is a versatile option the Toffees are considering and can play on either wing, as he has done for Como.

The 19-year-old only joined the Italian outfit in January, but made nine goal contributions in all competitions.

Assane Diao's 2024/25 Serie A statistics	Total
Appearances	15
Goals	8
Expected goals (xG)	3.70
Goal conversion	29%
Assists	1
Big chances created	1

Diao was a lethal finisher last season (Sofascore)

With Everton interested in Diao, Como have set the Merseyside club an asking price of around £65.4million, according to Estadio Deportivo (04 August).

The Spanish outlet reports that Nottingham Forest had a bid of around £38.4million rejected for the Senegal international.

Previous reports have claimed that Everton are willing to meet Como's price for Diao, although there has been no news of a formal approach.

Moyes has been vocal about transfers (Credit: Imago)

Everton would have to break records to land Diao

The most the North-West club have ever paid for a player was around £45million for Gylfi Sigurdsson in 2017.

If they were to sign Diao, then the Toffees would have to significantly trump that figure for a teenager.

While the winger appears to be a player with vast potential, he has not been in the game long, and the reported fee feels high.

Furthermore, if Everton were to pay that much for Diao, would it have an impact on the rest of their business?

Everton have signed four players this summer: Alcaraz, Barry, Aznou, and Mark Travers
The Toffees lost just under 10 first-team players at the end of last season
They would have to break their record transfer fee to land Diao

Considering the Merseyside outfit have never paid that much for a player, they would be wise to try and negotiate a lower fee.

However, time is ticking for Moyes as the Premier League season is less than a fortnight away.

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Assane Diao