Sporting Lisbon striker Bas Dost has been a target for Newcastle United for a number of years but now Everton appear to be leading the chase.
If Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley had been more willing to put his hand in his pocket, one of the most lethal forwards in European football could be leading the line at St James’ Park this season.
Instead, Sporting Lisbon talisman Bas Dost appears more likely to don the Everton blue if he does finally make the move to the Premier League in the near future. ESPN reports that Steve Walsh scouted the 6ft 5ins Dutchman during Sporting’s Champions League clash with Barcelona last month while manager Ronald Koeman is a long-time admirer of his compatriot.
The Toffees certainly need a striker to replace Romelu Lukaku. And, considering that Dost scored an obscene 34 goals in 30 league starts last season, he appears to fit the bill.
And Premier League rivals Newcastle may be kicking themselves if the 28-year-old is lining up at Goodison Park in a few months’ time. After all, The Magpies have had more than enough opportunities to bring Dost to England.
They failed to get a deal done, however, and only last summer The Chronicle reported that The Magpies weren’t prepared to get into a bidding war with Sporting demanding a huge fee for a striker who posted figures that even Lionel Messi would be proud of in 2016/17.
With big-spending Everton now keen and Dost’s price-tag rising by the window, it appears that the ship has sailed for Newcastle. Rafael Benitez should hope that Joselu, then, finds his goalscoring touch and fast.
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