Everton are among the clubs interested in signing Valencia striker Maxi Gomez this summer, according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg.
The lowdown: Wanted man
The 26-year-old has been the subject of interest from multiple Premier League clubs already this summer, with Wolves and Newcastle both heavily linked.
Spanish giants Atletico Madrid are also believed to be keen on the Uruguay international, who was once a target for West Ham.
Despite all of that reported interest, Gomez remains in situ in Spain, and it now appears as though the Toffees could be ready to make their intentions known...
The latest: Plettenberg shares Gomez update
Taking to Twitter, Sky Germany's Plettenberg has claimed that Everton and a host of other clubs are now 'in' for the wantaway 27-cap frontman.
He stated: “Excl. News Maxi #Gomez: The 26 y/o striker wants to leave Valencia. Gladbach bosses should like the player (next to Beljo), talks took place. But: Price tag around €12m at this stage. Still too expensive for Borussia! Also in: Everton, Newcastle and Fenerbahce. @SkySportDE”
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The verdict: Fingers crossed
Everton are in desperate need of adding a new centre-forward, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin sidelined by injury and Salomon Rondon unable to impact matches consistently at the elite level.
So far this term, Frank Lampard has utilised Anthony Gordon as a false nine in their first two league games at home to Chelsea and away at Aston Villa respectively, whilst Rondon led the line in the 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Therefore, adding a genuine centre-forward option is imperative before the September 1 deadline, and Gomez - who was hailed by Premier Sports for a 'clinical' finish against Real Valladolid in 2020 - could be the answer.
Sharing similar stylistic traits to Thomas Henry, Callum Wilson and Chris Wood (FBRef), the striker with 82 club career goals boasts a style of play which would make him the ideal candidate to bolster Lampard's options.
Valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt and earning a mooted £49,000 per week at Valencia, this is a deal which shouldn't prove too expensive for the Goodison Park hierarchy, and one that they should be working hard to try and execute.