The Toffees need a centre-back and, alongside Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori, Cherries star Nathan Ake is allegedly an option for the Premier League outfit.
Everton are interested in raiding Bournemouth for centre-back Nathan Ake before Thursday’s transfer deadline, according to The Sun (7 August, page 50).
With Marcel Brands pulling the strings from his director of football role, The Toffees appear to have aced the transfer window, on paper at least. But despite the eye-catching additions of Andre Gomes, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Fabian Delph and Moise Kean, Everton are still one centre-back short with time running out.
It looks increasingly unlikely that Kurt Zouma will return from Chelsea for a second loan spell at Goodison Park so Everton are now scouring the market for alternatives.
Another Chelsea youngster, Fikayo Tomori, is an option after a superb spell at Derby County but The Sun believes that Ake is also on the radar.
The Dutch international has been a revelation since joining Bournemouth from Chelsea two years ago and comparisons will inevitably be drawn with Virgil van Dijk, another commanding Netherlands centre-back who has evolved into a truly world-class stopper since moving to the North West.
The problem is, however, Bournemouth want £75 million for Ake, perhaps inspired by Leicester’s determination to earn top dollar for Harry Maguire.
So file this one under ‘unlikely’ unless The Cherries drop their valuation substantially.
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