Everton could be about to lose out on Che Adams.
That’s according to journalist Graeme Bailey, who has reported that the Toffees are now ‘highly unlikely’ to sign the Southampton striker.
Adams has enjoyed a stellar start to the Saints’ return to the Championship, netting three goals in three matches.
However, the ‘outstanding’ Scotland international was expected to earn a swift return back to the Premier League over the next week. Adams was the subject of a £15 million bid from Everton and it was previously believed that he was closing in on the move.
Talk of the deal has gone quiet since they submitted their offer last week, however it now looks like it could be off the table completely.
It is unclear why Everton are unlikely to sign Adams this summer, though it could well be something to do with the fee that Southampton will demand. Considering the 27-year-old only has a year left on his contract, Sean Dyche’s side will not want to overpay in the final days of the window.
Everton have reportedly already looked to alternatives to Adams and are said to have opened talks with Udinese over a move for Beto. However, the forward is valued at over £30 million and is also extremely unlikely to arrive on Merseyside before the transfer deadline.
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Everton need to sign Che Adams or they are in big trouble
If there was still a few weeks left of the transfer window then Everton would happily look elsewhere if Southampton were playing hard ball.
However, the Toffees only have a week left to snap up a striker or two and they currently look far off adding to their attack.
Previous reports claimed that the Saints would demand £15m for Adams – a valuation which Everton matched with their second bid. So it would come as a surprise if the deal now collapses due to his fee.
Everton need to keep pushing the Championship club to part ways with the Scot, otherwise they could well end up with a much worse option or worse, no one.
As for Beto, Everton surely already knew that he was going to cost a lot of money so why are they wasting their time?