Ligue 1 strugglers Angers refuse to let striker Karl Toko Ekambi leave for Brighton, but Premier League rivals Everton may be next to test the water.
Karl Toko Ekambi is a man in demand this month. The striker has netted an impressive nine goals in 16 starts for Ligue 1 strugglers Angers and could be rewarded with a January move to the Premier League.
According to France Football in December, Everton, Crystal Palace and Burnley were all plotting a move for the Cameroonian international.
But another Premier League side has made the first move. According to France Football, Brighton and Hove Albion have seen a bid of around £12.5 million for Ekambi swiftly rejected by Angers, who understandably want to keep hold of their top scorer with their Ligue 1 status under severe threat.
This is not the first time the Seagulls have attempted to rejuvenate a rather limited forward line with Ekambi. As reported by France Football, Brighton attempted to lure him to The Amex in the summer and even offered to quadruple his current wage, only for the attacker to spurn their advances.
But with Brighton making their move, it remains to be seen whether Everton will now step up their pursuit despite confirming the addition of Cenk Tosun from Besiktas last week.
As Everton manager Sam Allardyce stated, the toothless Toffees need more than just one new face in their forward line and Ekambi, who can also play on the left, would offer versatility, pace and an ever improving goal-scoring record.
But with Angers desperate not to sell, majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri would have to spend big again – far more than £12.5 million.
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