Report: Everton suffer more misery, £12m target now joining 6th-place side

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Reported Everton target Jonathan Ikone has all but completed a January move to Serie A side AFC Fiorentina, with personal terms now agreed.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the LOSC Lille star is set to move to the sixth-place Italian side in the winter. Fiorentina made a €15m (£12m) bid for the attacker which has been accepted by the reigning Ligue 1 champions.

The news will come as a blow for the Toffees and further misery to their current situation. Everton last night lost the Merseyside Derby 4-1 at Goodison Park, with the team booed by their own supporters for most of the match.

Indeed, CalcioMercato reported earlier in the year that Everton were interested in Ikone. The winger played a key role in Lille’s title charge last season. However, the 23-year-old’s form this season has been underwhelming.

Moreover, with Lille desperate for cash given their dire financial situation even with UEFA Champions League football, Les Dogues are open to selling some of their key players if the right offer comes in. Which is why Ikone is heading to Fiorentina for such a small fee.

Indeed, with Everton struggling in the Premier League this season under Rafa Benitez, extra creativity and firepower up front could have been perfect for the Merseyside club.

Ikone is a winger regarded for his silky touch and dribble of the ball, and the Frenchman could have brought some much-needed magic to the Toffees.

However, it appears that Fiorentina have won the race for the Lille superstar. And Everton will now have to turn their attentions to other targets who could save their season ahead of the January transfer window.

Everton should have pipped Fiorentina to Ikone

Given the financial power Everton have compared to most sides on the continent, it is a surprise that the Toffees have lost out on a player as talented as Ikone to a club like Fiorentina, who up until this season have often languished in the bottom half of Serie A.

Furthermore, Everton’s current situation means that a player like Ikone could have been perfect to help the Merseyside club get off their feet. The versatile attacker has the qualities and experience to flourish in the Premier League, yet Benitez’s side have just moved too slow in attempting to sign the French wizard.