Everton are reportedly hoping to land M’Baye Niang – over four years since he was on trial at Goodison Park.
According to Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, Everton have joined West Ham United in the race to sign AC Milan attacker M’Baye Niang – and Crystal Palace are also keen.
Niang, 22, was heavily linked with a move to England when he emerged in his native France with SM Caen, where he hit five goals in 30 games before earning a 2012 move to AC Milan.
AC Milan’s M’Baye Niang
Whilst he arrived with high expectations, Niang scored just once in his first season with the club, and was then sent out on loan to Montpellier and Genoa in consecutive seasons as he struggled to live up to the hype.
However, Niang – who can play out wide or up front – hit eight goals in 19 games last season as he started to realise his potential, and he’s notched three goals and two assists in Serie A this term.
AC Milan’s M’Baye Niang in action
Now, Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Niang is attracting major interest ahead of next week’s transfer deadline, with Everton now joining West Ham United in the race to land the French attacker.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman is looking for attacking reinforcements, and having allowed Gerard Deulofeu to join Milan on loan, whilst Romelu Lukaku also needs some support, Niang makes sense as a possible target either on loan or permanently.
Interest from the Toffees is particularly interesting given that, as reported by Sky Sports, Everton took Niang on trial in the summer of 2012 in the hope of luring him to Goodison Park permanently – only for him to choose Milan.
Niang is allegedly tempted by a move to England, meaning Everton could finally land him, more than four years since his trial with the club – but with Crystal Palace and West Ham both allegedly keen, there could be a real fight on for Niang’s signature.
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