Nottingham Forest set to provide competition for £16m Everton target as green light claim issued

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Everton is on the search for a midfielder this window, however, competitors are fighting for a reported target’s signature.

Everton have a dilemma on their hands this transfer window, as Sean Dyche is in uncertainty under The Friedkin’s which could cause problems in terms of transfer targets.

Dyche is trusted at Everton despite claims he is close to leaving Goodison Park, so in the meantime, the Toffees boss is getting on with business in January.

The plan for the Toffees is to sign a midfielder in January as Everton have shown interest in Richard Rios.

One midfielder deal that looked likely to happen is now in jeopardy as more interest in the target has been revealed.

Everton faces Nottingham Forest competition for Habib Diarra

Everton are in the market for a midfielder and The Friedkin Group is keen to sign Habib Diarra.

Strasbourg have put a €20m (£16m) valuation on the 21-year-old as Everton looks as though they are in the driving seat.

However, ASRomaLive are reporting that Nottingham Forest also ‘like’ Diarra, and AC Milan are also said to be interested in the Senegalese midfielder.

Despite the Rossoneri’s interest, Everton and Forest are the more credible challengers for Diarra.

This deal could impact another ongoing deal at Goodison Park with a fan favourite seemingly finding the exit door this January.

Diarra’s move to Everton could give ‘green light’ for Doucoure to Roma

The Friedkins have been eyeing Abdoulaye Doucoure to join AS Roma, their other owned club, which could play a key part in Everton’s pursuit of Diarra.

The report states that the feeling is that if Everton do sign Diarra, it could be given the ‘green light’ for Doucoure’s move to Roma and the switch can be a lot smoother due to the Friedkins ownership of both clubs.

Doucoure’s contract runs out in the summer Sean Dyche is supposedly looking to obtain a fee for the 32-year-old who has had a strong tenure at Goodison Park.

Despite Everton’s recent poor form, Dyche was praised for transforming Doucoure over the past few seasons and if he was to leave it would leave a big hole in his new attacking position.

This is where Diarra comes in, as the attacking midfielder has performed well at Strasbourg this season.

However, Forest have thrown a spanner in the works for the Friedkin’s plans as Everton faces a challenge to sign Diarra in January.