Everton have a made an offer to Almeria to bring El Bilal Toure to Goodison Park.
According to the Daily Mail, Almeria were surprised to receive an offer for El Bilal Toure from Everton. The Toffees put forward a loan-to-buy deal for the striker, who they can’t afford to buy outright with an upfront payment.
However, they aren’t the only club keeping tabs on the Malian forward, with Serie A outfit Atalanta also interested. This competition for Toure’s signature could force Everton to improve their offer if they seriously want to secure his services.
Sean Dyche will have to spend smartly this summer, as Everton have a limited budget to work with. He needs to do enough though to ensure that the Merseyside club are able to steer clear of relegation trouble next season. If they were to sign Toure, they would hope that he could play a key role in firing the club to safety.
Should Everton sign Toure?
Whilst the speedy forward is talented and full of potential, a move for him certainly represents a risk. The 21-year-old managed seven goals in 21 La Liga outings last season as an injury hampered the second half of his season. According to FBRef, Toure’s playing style is very similar to that of Ollie Watkins. Dyche would be delighted if Toure could match Watkins’ impact in English football.
Everton undeniably need a goalscorer. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is too injury-prone to be relied upon, Ellis Simms has gone, and Neal Maupay is in woeful form. Whether Toure is ready to step in and score regularly at Premier League level is another question.
Proven and prolific strikers don’t come cheap, and a punt on Toure might be the best Everton can manage this summer. If it were to work out well then it would look like an absolute masterstroke.