Everton have made an offer of around €40 million (£36 million) for Lille striker Rafael Leao, according to La Voix Du Nord (via The Boot Room).
The Toffees reportedly face competition from Valencia, who have just signed Maxi Gómez, and unnamed teams from both the Premier League and Serie A to sign him.
The player himself is not pushing for a move and is relaxed about the situation, as he has enjoyed himself with Lille so far.
Leao’s record during his maiden Ligue 1 campaign is seriously impressive, as he managed eight goals and three assists in just 16 starts and eight substitute appearances.
If there is one thing Everton have missed recently, it is a striker who regularly gets goals: Cenk Tosun got three in 10 starts and 15 substitute appearances, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin managed six in 19 starts and 16 substitute appearances.
This meant Richarlison had to be used as a No.9 at times but, with an in-form Leao in the side, it should allow the Brazilian to play as a winger more often than not — which Graeme Souness alluded to as being his best position.
“I’m not sure about Richarlison. Is that his best position [striker]?,” the Liverpool legend questioned when speaking on Sky Sports (via HITC) last term. “Would that be his preferred position being on the left and cutting in? I think he’s a handful if you get the service to him, but I don’t think you get the best out of him playing there [up front].”
This is a move Everton should be doing all they can to complete, considering his promising record last season.
There is an element of risk due to the fact Leao has only had one season at the top level, but he has shown enough in that time to highlight he is an exciting talent. In fact, within CalcioMercato’s write up of the prospect back in February, they wrote that he would ‘have absolutely no problems settling into English football’ considering his physical stature.
Standing at over 6 foot and someone blessed with ‘fantastic acceleration’ according to the aforementioned scouting report, he would at least appear to have the raw tools to lead the line in a 4-2-3-1 system, a formation used 30 times (WhoScored) by Everton last season.
He was a large factor in Lille reaching the Champions League after all and Marco Silva told the Telegraph back in March he was keen on developing young talents so would fit the profile of what the club seem to want.
Everton fans, would Leao be a good signing? Join the discussion by commenting below!
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