Everton target Cedric Bakambu wants to play first team football.
Villarreal’s Cedric Bakambu scores a goal against Sparta Prague.
Everton have identified Villarreal’s Cedric Bakambu as a potential summer signing, according to The Sun.
The Toffees are looking at recruiting already as they look to make an impact and try and get into the top four next season. But they might face a task to persuade Bakambu to join up.
The 25-year-old was a target for French giants Paris Saint-Germain last summer, but told how he turned down the move after realising he would not be first choice.
He told Goal: “I was contacted by PSG to be the understudy to Cavani.
“PSG has very great strikers. So there it is. If I went to PSG would I have my place? Honestly, no.”
Picture Supplied by Action Images
The Sun‘s report claims Bakambu could cost the Toffees £25 million, a steep figure for Everton to spend on a back up themselves.
Yet for Bakambu to be convinced to join, Everton would have to sell to him that he would be a partner for Romelu Lukaku, and not a back-up.
Their chances of landing him of course would be enhanced if Lukaku is sold, with Bakambu able to identify a clear path to first team football.
Last season Bakambu netted 12 goals for the La Liga side, but this season has brought a meeker return, just four goals from 16 appearances, nine starts.
Everton can by no means afford to rely on him having the ability to replace Lukaku. As a complement he could be a smart addition, but whether he would agree to that is another matter and part of the conundrum.
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