Everton have now joined a host of Premier League rivals with an interest in the transfer of FC Lorient star Terem Moffi. Aston Villa and West Ham United are also keen on the striker.
That is according to Foot Mercato, which reports the Toffees and Southampton have now joined the race for the 23-year-old. Moffi has caught their attention after scoring 10 goals in 16 Ligue 1 appearances already so far this season. He has also started 15 of his matches.
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With Everton now in the relegation zone with Wolves and Southampton, a move for Moffi is on the cards. Club chiefs at Goodison Park and St Mary’s are now starting to explore his potential availability in January. But they will face a substantial battle to sign the Nigerian.
Lorient landed Moffi in October 2020 from Belgian side KV Kortrijk for €8m (£7m) only 10 months after joining them. The Calabar native sealed a switch to France with five goals in 11 games. Now, the 6 ft 2 frontman has 33 goals and seven assists in 88 games at Les Merlus.
Moffi also made his debut for Nigeria in June 2021 and became a key player for the Super Eagles in 2022. The attacker has so far scored three goals from his nine caps, starting five.
Everton are the latest team to target a transfer for Lorient striker Terem Moffi
Everton and Southampton have now joined a host of Premier League rivals in exploring a transfer for Lorient star Moffi. Sky Sports reports that West Ham have scouted the striker already this season. But it adds that the Saints are also in talks with Les Merlus for a deal.
Southampton are also cautiously optimistic that they can wrap up negotiations during the next few days. A swoop by the St Mary’s natives would frustrate a host of the south coast side’s rivals. Jeunes Footeux has also listed Aston Villa and Crystal Palace with an interest.
It further cites Brighton & Hove Albion as a potential landing spot for the Nigeria attacker. Borussia Monchengladbach are also exploring trying to take Moffi to the Bundesliga in the January sales. But Lorient would want around €20m (£17.5m) as his contract runs to 2024.
Lorient would struggle to say no to suitable offers in January or at the end of the season if Moffi does not agree to a new contract. And the praise his former head coach, Christophe Pelissier, voiced in 2021 shows why so many teams are now interested in Moffi’s transfer.
“Terem is a man of gold,” Pelissier said, via quotes by Pulse. “It’s amazing the state of mind this player has. He ticks all the boxes of the high-level player.”
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