Lyon Moussa Dembele
Everton could make a move for Lyon striker Moussa Dembele instead of Atalanta’s Duvan Zapata, according to a claim from journalist Simon Phillips.
The Lowdown: Everton’s goalscoring issues
The Toffees’ season is an increasingly concerning one, with a string of poor results leaving them in the Premier League relegation zone and in danger of a first relegation since 1951.
There have been problems all over the pitch throughout the campaign, with a lack of goals one of the biggest issues, having only scored 15 in their first 20 league outings.
Everton have been linked with a move for Zapata this week, but one reporter claims that Frank Lampard could look elsewhere for centre-forward reinforcements.
The Latest: Dembele move on the cards?
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Phillips name-checked Dembele as someone who Lampard likes and could look to sign in the January transfer window, having already indicated his approval for Everton to move for the player, who has reportedly been offered to the Toffees by Lyon.
The journalist said of Everton’s links with the former Celtic striker:
“I think this would be backed a lot more than Zapata, purely because Moussa Dembele was a Chelsea target when Lampard was there.
“So, Lampard has already said okay to him and given him the all-clear as a player that he’d like in his squad.”
The Verdict: Prolific addition for Blues
Dembele could be exactly what Everton need, providing the consistent end product that the likes of Anthony Gordon, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay have failed to bring this season.
The trio have scored just five league goals between them in 38 combined appearances in 2022/23, highlighting just how impotent Lampard’s side have been in the final third.
By stark contrast, Dembele has scored 69 goals in 159 appearances for Lyon, with the £66,000-per-week striker also netting 13 times in 25 caps for France at under-21 level.
Back in 2016, he was lauded as an ‘exceptional‘ player by Pep Guardiola, further outlining his talent. Also, at 26, he could be about to hit the prime years of his career, so it’s no wonder that Lampard has reportedly given the thumbs-up for Everton to try and get Dembele.
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