Everton are now interested in signing Udinese striker Beto this summer as Sean Dyche continues his search for a centre-forward.
Indeed, the 25-year-old has been linked with Everton since January and ex-Toffee Gerard Deulofeu thinks he is ‘really good’.
The pair are Udinese teammates, though according to BBC Sport, Beto could soon arrive at Goodison Park, however the report does state that talks are ‘not yet at an advanced stage’.
Everton desperately need a centre-forward this summer and the goal-shy Toffees were left frustrated on Saturday as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Fulham despite recording 19 shots on goal.
The addition of a striker of Beto’s quality could kickstart the Sean Dyche era at Goodison Park, and former Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu highly rates the Portuguese forward.
Speaking on The Italian Football Podcast and reported by Get Football, Deulofeu praised his Udinese teammate, though refused to be drawn on comparisons for another ex-Everton star, Romelu Lukaku.
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Deulofeu said: “You can’t compare Beto to Lukaku. They are two different players. I really like Beto. I like his mentality to push on the pitch, to improve every single game. I like these types of players.
We speak a lot because we usually play very close on the pitch. He is a really good guy and I think we will do great things together and score a lot of goals together.”
Everton signing quality like Beto is a strong message to the fans
25-year-old Beto scored 10 goals in 33 Serie A games for Udinese last season, achieving a goal per game ratio just shy of one in every three appearances.
Dwight McNeil finished last season as Everton’s top goalscorer with seven strikes as no player at Goodison Park reached double figures for the season.
With the imminent arrival of Jack Harrison, who is set to join on loan from Leeds United, Everton will add goals to their midfield, but securing a striker of Beto’s presence upfront has to be a priority for Sean Dyche.