Premier League newcomers Burnley could break their transfer record with £25 million-rated Almeria striker El Bilal Toure but Wolves may have an advantage in the summer chase.
According to the Daily Mail, Julen Lopetegui’s Wolverhampton Wanderers have a ‘good relationship’ with those at the La Liga outfit. The Molineux outfit were recently linked with Almeria midfielder Samuel ‘Samu’ Costa, and could now go all-in on his team-mate.
Likened to Didier Drogba due to his physical prowess and his line-leading ability; El Bilal Toure, is one of the biggest reasons why Almeria are still outside of the relegation zone with five games remaining.
He is their top scorer with six goals. One of those came against Barcelona. Toure’s thumping winner consigning Xavi’s runaway leaders to one of only three La Liga defeats in 2022/23.
Wolves face Burnley battle for El Bilal Toure
According to The Mail, Vincent Kompany’s Championship champions are admirers of 21-year-old Toure. Burnley will see veteran frontman Ashley Barnes leave this summer. Leading scorer Nathan Tella could also return to parent club Southampton.
Toure, at £25 million, would set the Clarets back a club-record sum. Brentford are also interested, perhaps in the event of Ivan Toney’s potential departure.
FootMercato, however, back up the Mail’s claims while suggesting that Wolves are in pole position. Wolves will reportedly offer £22 million – plus bonuses – to tie down the Mali international early in the window.
Raul Jimenez replacement?
Despite a massive improvement under Lopetegui – who will know Toure from his time at Sevilla – goals remain in short supply in Wolverhampton. Toure’s arrival could pave the way for veteran duo Raul Jimenez and Diego Costa to depart, though Coventry City’s Viktor Gyokeres is also on their radar.
Goal reported in April that, in addition to Wolves, Everton had been in contact regarding Toure. Everton’s Financial Fair Play concerns, however, means they are unlikely to match any £20 million-plus offer from Wolves as things stand, particularly with their Premier League status still very much up in the air.
Toure has stepped up impressively for Almeria after the departure of star striker Umar Sadiq; former boss Oscar Garcia hailing his aerial ability and speed across the turf.
“(Toure and Sadiq) are similar and both are very fast,” his former Reims coach Oscar Garcia tells La Voz de Almeria. “Both are very dangerous in space. Bilal Toure has a better aerial game than Umar Sadiq, but the Nigerian is better technically.”
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