Everton could be plotting a move to bolster their forward ranks, with reports earlier this month suggesting that Borussia Monchengladbach marksman, Marcus Thuram, may be in line for a move.
Although the club underwent a summer of rebuilding that saw eight major deals completed, one area that still appears somewhat depleted is upfront.
Despite the acquisition of Neal Maupay appearing to have satisfied his desire for another striker, Frank Lampard still seems unhappy with the quality of his options.
Journalist Dean Jones had made it clear in the summer just how imperative it was for the Toffees, as he claimed: “Lampard specifically wants to know a fair bit about whichever striker he ends up signing because he wants to have somebody that he knows he can get the best out of pretty early on.”
As per journalist Graeme Bailey, the Blues are now among plenty of Premier League sides who seem keen on the free-scoring Frenchman.
He was quoted as saying on the Talking Transfers podcast: “Yeah, Palace, Leicester, Everton, Fulham and Wolves. He’s doing very well this season and he’s a player that a lot of Premier League clubs have kept a close eye on, but he’s doing a good job in the Bundesliga now. He’s available on a Bosman in January, he’s 25, he’d just be a very useful signing for a lot of teams.”
It is thought that despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s recent return to fitness, the club cannot yet rely on him to be available for a whole season. Perhaps this added quality recruit might be the final piece in Lampard’s attacking puzzle.
He would certainly thrive with the likes of Demarai Gray, who has had cause for frustration in recent weeks as his creative exploits have gone unappreciated.
As aforementioned, the Monchengladbach man has a deal that is set to expire at the conclusion of this season, leaving him available for cheap in January or free in the summer.
The other suitors mentioned are all at a similar standing to Everton, so the Merseyside outfit will feel a certain level of confidence that should they want him, they could land the “phenomenal” figure in the near future, as described by former teammate Denis Zakaria.
The 6 foot 4 powerhouse has more than shown his quality in Germany of late, proving himself one of the better strikers in the division.
A return of eight goals with two assists in just 12 Bundesliga games is indicative of this. However, his exploits have only taken his side to 11th in the table.
His record far outperforms both of Everton’s current strikers from this season, with Maupay and Calvert-Lewin having scored just one each.
Thuram also has earned praise for his impressively quick feet to partner his hulking physique, highlighted by the fact that he ranks in the top 7% of positionally similar players across Europe’s top five leagues for dribbles completed.
He might benefit even more from the deliveries that some of the Toffees’ wingers would produce, as in their game over the weekend against Fulham, Gray was a shining light throughout an otherwise dull display.
The English wide man made three key passes and created two big chances, yet his team did not manage to score all game.
Were Everton to tempt Thuram to Goodison Park, not only would it mark a huge coup and a success over half of the Premier League that want him too, but they would be getting a striker in red-hot form who would seldom squander the chances that Gray would provide.
For a team that has scored just 12 goals this term, they are crying out for someone to relieve the burden from Calvert-Lewin, who also possesses more quality than Maupay.
Any reservations regarding his ability to step up to a seemingly higher level in England can be put to bed with his brace against Real Madrid the season before last, where they actually would go on to reach the semi-finals of that Champions League campaign.
While there may well be fierce competition for his signature, the Toffees would be hard-pressed to find a better deal in Europe at the moment when it comes to reliable goal scorers.