A back-up striker is on Everton's agenda in the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports journalist Pete Graves.

The lowdown

Everton attempted to address this hole in their squad in January with the signing of Josh King from AFC Bournemouth on a short-term contract.

But King was limited to just 138 minutes of Premier League action and was unable to score before the end of the season.

He accused then-manager Carlo Ancelotti of 'lying' to him about the extent of his role.

The Norwegian has since joined newly-promoted Watford following the expiry of his contract.

The latest

Graves reports that Everton are keen on signing Burnley's Dwight McNeil in addition to two other wingers in the form of Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray.

Rafael Benitez's intention is apparently to 'bolster the club's natural wingers' in order to improve the supply line to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

And they're 'also likely to target' a new no. 9 who can provide cover and competition for the Englishman.

The verdict

This is absolutely an area need to address. Moise Kean and Cenk Tosun may be back from their loan spells, but it's difficult to see either of them having a future at Everton.

Perhaps the smart move would be the Toffees to recruit a striker of a different ilk to Calvert-Lewin.

Something of a 'target man', he relishes balls into the box and aerial battles with defenders, so they could look to recruit a plan-B who'd instead look to stretch defences with their pace and runs in-behind.

That was clearly the intention with the signing of King, but here's hoping Benitez gets it right where Ancelotti faltered.

In other news, this Everton ace is closing on the exit door.