Everton are reportedly hoping to bring Nantes’ Ligue 1 hotshot Emiliano Sala to the Premier League in the January transfer window.
Michael Ball believes Everton need a new striker in the January transfer window – and it seems that the club agree with him.
Despite the impressive form of Richarlison, who has scored six Premier League goals after his club-record £50 million move from Watford, The Toffees have never really managed to find a centre-forward capable of replicating the power and presence of Romelu Lukaku since his 2017 move to Manchester United.
Try as he might, Cenk Tosun simply doesn’t seem consistent enough, Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains rough around the edges and Oumar Niasse appears certain to leave in 2019.
So, speaking to the Liverpool Echo, former Toffees left-back Ball has made it clear what he thinks should be The Toffees’ top priority.
“An out-and-out striker we can rely on to bag us goals is probably the priority. We’ve had Romelu Lukaku whose record was great for us and put the ball in the net most weeks, we haven’t replaced him,” said Ball, who played at Goodison Park between 1996 and 2001.
“I’m sure the club are looking because over the last few years we probably relied a bit too much on Lukaku and forgot about our gameplan. When he wasn’t playing, we didn’t have a plan B.
“It’s taken a while, and his move did hurt us, but with Marcel and Marco at the club now if there is someone in January I’m sure we will be interested.”
Ball’s comments perhaps justify Everton’s interest in Emiliano Sala, according to The Mail, with the 6ft 2ins Argentine centre-forward hitting 11 goals in 10 Ligue 1 starts in a remarkable beginning to the new campaign with Nantes.
It is understood that Nantes would demand £25 million for the 28-year-old.
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