Everton are in the market to sign a new forward this month but have already suffered one significant setback.
After 19 games in the Premier League, it is clear Everton could do with some new faces around the club this month.
The Friedkin Group are eyeing two signings for Everton in January as another midfielder is also on the radar.
But their plans to act fast in the market have taken a blow over recent hours with one of their targets set to join one of their rivals.
Jaden Philogene has snubbed Everton for Ipswich Town, and the selling club, Aston Villa, could inflict further misery on the Blues.
Aston Villa to rival Everton for Samuel Chukwueze
Everton hold a longstanding interest in Samuel Chukwueze with the Toffees eyeing him towards the backend of last year.
However, they may now face some serious competition from one of their Premier League rivals.
According to Calciomercato, Aston Villa are now in the running to sign Chukwueze from AC Milan this month.
The Serie A giants are now ready to consider offers for their 25-year-old winger with interest coming from England.
New Milan manager Sergio Conceicao is not believed to hold Chukwueze in his plans at the San Siro.
Everton were hit with the blow from missing out on Philogene and will require an instant bounce back in the market.
But Chukwueze is not the only player they have on their radar with Everton also showing an interest in Tom Fellows from West Brom.
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Samuel Chukwueze needs a fresh start
Having joined Milan back in 2023, the Nigeria international has not exactly been a nailed down starter for the Serie A giants.
Chukwueze has featured 17 times in the league this season, but only nine of those appearances have come from the starting XI.
The 25-year-old only has one league goal to his name this season with a fresh start elsewhere looking like a good option for the winger.
But this is a player who his previous manager Paulo Fonseca labelled as a game changer earlier in the season.
“When Okafor and Chukwueze came on, the game changed; they brought energy, and the team gained intensity,” Fonseca told the Italian media.
Even if Chukwueze has been unable to find the back of the net on a regular occurrence this season, he has shown flashes of creativity which Everton are not getting out of Jack Harrison.
Halfway through the season, Harrison has been criticised heavily at Everton with a new winger desperately needed this month.
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