Everton transfer news as midnight deadline emerges on Boulaye Dia clause

Everton will have to act quickly to secure the services of Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia, whose £21.7m release clause expires at midnight tomorrow, according to a report from Corriere Dello Sport (pg 18).

The Senegalese forward spent last season on loan with Salernitana where he managed to score 16 goals in 33 appearances, before making the switch permanent, but the Italian publication believe that there remains plenty of interest in him this summer.

Within Serie A only Fiorentina have reportedly shown some concrete interest in paying the release clause, while AC Milan have an interest but it remains tentative. However, rumours are beginning to circulate in Italy that Everton are set to make a move.

Despite the Toffees’ financial difficulties being well documented, they have been monitoring the form of the 26-year-old for a while and are very keen to bring him to Goodison Park.

What may also play into Sean Dyche’s side’s favour is that Salernitana reportedly hold an interest in Neal Maupay and any sale of the Frenchman to the Serie A side could help Everton’s pursuit of Dia.

It was always going to be a tough window for Dyche and Everton to navigate, with recruitment needed to ensure that the Toffees are able to steer clear of a third consecutive relegation battle but finances incredibly limited.

The potential signing of Dia would provide a genuine alternative to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose injury struggles limited his involvement to only 15 Premier League starts last season, leaving Everton to often field a side with make-shift strikers like Demari Gray.

Dia’s £21.7m release clause allows the Senegalese to be considered a bit of a steal and Everton aren’t in a position to let such a good opportunity pass them by, as soon as that deadline passes on Thursday evening, Dia’s value will likely quickly climb.

If it also allows the opportunity to move Maupay out of Goodison Park as well, it becomes an even more sensible deal. The Frenchman isn’t your archetypal Dyche forward and to be able to move him off the books and bring in a genuine goalscorer makes perfect sense.

In other Everton news, it has been reported Everton would be forced to consider any serious bids for Alex Iwobi