Bas Dost is the latest name on Everton’s radar as Ronald Koeman searches for a centre-forward.
There was hardly a shortage of strikers linked with Everton during the summer transfer window. However, speculation surrounding Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck, Diego Costa and co came and went without The Toffees finding a single player capable of replacing Romelu Lukaku.
It’s tempting to wonder how far Bas Dost was down their pecking order, then. ESPN reports that Everton have turned their attention towards the Sporting Lisbon targetman to add some much needed reinforcements to a side that has scored just seven Premier League goals all season.
Considering that Dost plundered 34 in 30 Primeira Liga starts for Sporting in 2016/17, the rangy Dutchman appears to fit the bill perfectly.
Though there are a few questions worth considering. Firstly, how much would Everton have to pay? Corrieo da Manha reported in the summer that The Toffees were interested but were informed that Dost had a release clause of £50 million – which would have forced Farhad Moshiri to shatter the club’s transfer record once again.
And this is a player who, despite an enviable scoring record for Heerenveen, Wolfsburg and Sporting, remains hugely divisive. He is a natural born poacher but prone to wild swings in form and appears a little clunky for the speed of the Premier League.
Nonetheless, Everton appear to have exhausted their options and, for better or for worse, Dost has emerged as a genuine target.
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