Lucas Joao link shows Everton desperation as Southampton strike £18m deal

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Everton have turned to Reading striker Lucas Joao as Premier League rivals Southampton close in on deadline swoops for both Paul Onuachu and Kamaldeen Sulemana, according to the Daily Mail (live blog, 3.16pm). 

It’s difficult not to underwhelmed by reports that the Toffees could turn to a 29-year-old, second-tier centre-forward who has begun just 11 Championship games all season. Lucas Joao is not even a regular starter under Paul Ince at Reading.

So, what are the chances of Joao making the step up to the Premier League and contributing substantially to an Everton side starting down the barrel of a first relegation since 1951?  

Joao, in some ways, is well-suited to Sean Dyche’s style of play. Strong and physical at 6ft 4ins but mobile too. Capped twice by Portugal, Joao also scored 22 goals in the 2021/22 season. Injuries have limited his involvement since then, however; the former Sheffield Wednesday enigma missing half a year of action with a hip injury not so long ago. 

But with Everton seemingly making little progress in their pursuit of other attacking targets – and with Financial Fair Play concerns hanging over this troubled club – Dyche, Kevin Thelwell and co may have little choice but to cast the net a little wider in pursuit of more affordable additions as desperation threatens to take hold.

Everton could now turn to Reading striker Lucas Joao

Arnaut Danjuma chose a Champions League push at Tottenham over a relegation battle on Merseyside. Coventry City are refusing to let Viktor Gyokeres go. Moussa Dembele, meanwhile, appears to have got cold feet following the sacking of Frank Lampard, having held talks with the former Chelsea boss earlier in the month. 

Another reported Toffees target – KRC Genk’s Paul Onuachu – is joining relegation rivals Southampton for an initial £18 million, Het Laaste Nieuws report. One of the most underrated centre-forwards in Europa, Nigeria international Onuachu has scored 75 goals in his last 102 games for the Belgian giants. 

Southampton also appear to have fought off competition from Everton for Rennes winger Kamaldeen Sulemana. L’Equipe reports that the £22 million speedster prefers the Saints over the Toffees.