Stefano Okaka looks to be on his way out of Watford with both Everton and West Brom keen.
With the transfer window closing on Thursday, Everton are still on the lookout for a powerful frontman to replace Romelu Lukaku.
And, after links with big-name targets with real Premier League pedigree, Olivier Giroud and Diego Costa come to mind, reports from the Watford Observer that The Toffees are battling West Brom for Stefano Okaka are somewhat underwhelming.
The 6ft 1ins centre-forward would surely run Lukaku close in a battle of brute strength but, in terms of goalscoring, there is only one winner.
While Lukaku plundered 25 goals in 37 Premier League games for Everton last season, Okaka only found the back of the net four times in 18 games for The Hornets while struggling to force his way consistently into the starting XI.
Yet, Everton know first-hand just how threatening Okaka can be when he is on song. Half of his Premier League goals in 2016/17 came in Watford’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Everton in December, his sheer physicality causing Ronald Koeman’s side no end of problems.
And you get the feeling that he simply needs a run of regular games to prove his worth in England’s top flight.
Okaka up to the task?
Despite a modest goalscoring record in Serie A with Sampdoria, Okaka scored for fun with Anderlecht in 2015/16 and even forced his way into Antonio Conte’s Italy side, scoring the winner against Albania on his debut.
However, it remains to be seen whether Okaka is Everton’s primary target or whether he is merely one of many the club are considering with the transfer window about to slam shut.
What is for sure is that he appears to be on his way out of Vicarage Road with manager Marco Silva not fielding him in any of the club's last two Premier League games despite scoring in the opening day draw with Liverpool.
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