Everton have opened talks with Southampton over a deal for Che Adams.
The Liverpool Echo have reported that the Toffees have held ‘tentative’ negotiations with the Saints, as the striker continues to be linked with a move back to the Premier League.
Adams scored 10 goals and provided three assists in all competitions as Southampton were relegated to the Championship last season.
The ‘terrific’ Scotland international moved to the south coast in a £15 million move from Birmingham City four years ago and could now be on his way out as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.
Everton are now looking to add Adams to their attack alongside Arnaut Danjuma and the incoming Youssef Chermiti.
However, they face competition from the likes of Wolves and Bournemouth, with the latter recently seeing a bid rejected for Adams as it was ‘wide of the mark’.
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Previous reports have claimed that Southampton will demand £15m for Adams, despite the forward only having a year left on his current deal.
The Toffees’ interest comes after they already tried to lure Adams to Merseyside in both the previous two transfer windows, however they were told that he wasn’t for sale at the time.
Southampton’s relegation and Adams’ contract now means he is likely to be offloaded, though Everton may not want to pay his £15m valuation.
Che Adams isn’t the only Southampton player in talks with Everton
Everton are also reportedly in talks with Southampton over a deal for Kamaldeen Sulemana as an alternative to Wilfried Gnonto, who has rejected a move to Goodison Park.
Sulemana arrived at St Mary’s Stadium for £22 million in January but failed to score until netting a brace on the final day of the campaign.
The 21-year-old was also of interest to Everton in January, but they could be about to get their man six months later.