Everton are readying a transfer offer for Schalke 04 striker Matthew Hoppe, according to Ekrem Konur. 

The lowdown

The USA international scored six goals for Schalke last season after making his senior breakthrough, catching the eye amid the team's desperate struggles. The Gelsenkirchen outfit finished rock bottom of the Bundesliga with a mere 16 points, and according to a report earlier this year, they have found themselves in €217m (around £184.5m) of debt.

Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford are also said to have enquired about the 20-year-old's availability.

As it stands, Everton have Moise Kean and Cenk Tosun available as centre-forward backups to Dominic Calvert-Lewin. They've been trying to find a buyer for the Italy international this summer, but it has proven to be a struggle up to this point (via Liverpool Echo).

The latest

Konur tweeted that 'Everton met with' Schalke in order to 'get information' about Hoppe, who was hailed as a "goal dangerous" striker by his national team coach Gregg Berhalter during the recent Gold Cup.

The journalist added that ''Everton plans to bid' £2m for the American frontman.

The verdict

A fee of just £2m would represent a real bargain for a promising young talent. Indeed, you'd imagine that Schalke could demand far more than that amount if they were in a healthier financial position.

Hoppe would be a good backup option behind Calvert-Lewin because he has a contrasting set of attributes. The Englishman excels at winning aerial battles and holding up play, but that's not really the American's game. He likes to run with the ball and would ask different questions of defenders as a substitute.

If Everton can sign such a precocious player for as little as £2m, it would represent excellent business indeed.

In other news, Everton have been told they don't need to pursue this signing.