Crystal Palace linked with Ligue 1 ace that would be perfect for Everton

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Everton are likely to be active this month as Sam Allardyce looks to stamp his authority.

Plenty of talking points and selection dilemmas will be whirring around in Sam Allardyce’s head after watching his Everton side hardly have a sniff against Manchester United last time out.

One of the former England manager’s biggest concerns, alongside the need for a new striker and whether Yannick Bolasie will regain his previous form, is the lack of pace at centre-back.

Allardyce opted to disrupt the partnership between Ashley Williams and Mason Holgate by pushing the latter across to right-back and starting £25million summer signing Michael Keane.

However, the duo both lacked any kind of speed, meaning they dropped off to prevent anyone getting in behind. But against a Man United side bursting with attacking talent, allowing the likes of Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial to shoot from 20 yards out was always going to end badly.

It means Allardyce should look to the January transfer window for a defender that boasts the kind of speed capable of matching most Premier League strikers, and he should rival one of his former sides for Ligue 1 defender Ibrahim Amadou.

Sky Sports claim Crystal Palace have bid £16million for the 24-year-old Lille centre-back, who boasts huge speed and acceleration at the back, as well as offering versatility in holding midfield.

It means the France Under-19 international, who has captained Lille 15 times in his 17 Ligue 1 appearances this term, is also very good when in possession of the ball and would fit right at home in Everton’s passing style.

Owner Farhad Moshiri proved in the summer that he is more than capable of stumping up an eight-figure fee, with Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun reportedly close to joining for around £25million this month too.

Adding Amadou to Allardyce’s side would give Everton all the tools they need, along with Tosun, to push on and challenge the top six in the Premier League during the second half of the season.