Everton funds claim emerges in Atalanta race to sign Almeria striker El Bilal Toure

Everton were not able to raise the funds to make an acceptable offer to sign Almeria striker El Bilal Toure this summer, according to 90Min.

The media outlet [27 July] reports that Atalanta are set to sign the Mali international, 21, with a medical due in the next 48 hours.

He will be joining for a £26.6million fee and it’s understood that the Toffees failed to gather the money needed to secure his services.

Everton are not going to win a bidding war against most clubs in top five leagues that are competing in European competitions this summer.

Their best bet is to go for players under the radar or ones that the lesser clubs with very little financial or stature pull are keen on signing.

The Toure deal seemed tricky right from the start unless the striker was desperate to play in the Premier League at all costs.

He’s undoubtedly going to find it easier in Italy where he can perhaps mount a title challenge and also play in the Europa League.

It remains to be seen who the backup options now are for the Toffees as they desperately need a striker this summer.

It was clear they needed and wanted one in January as well and Sean Dyche surely must be frustrated by the lack of urgency if one is not over the line before the season begins.

In other Everton news, an exit-linked Toffees player has recently been spotted in talks with a senior Goodison Park figure ahead of the new season.

Everton continue to pursue transfers for Willy Gnonto and Brian Brobbey this summer

Everton are continuing their pursuit of new forwards this summer, with Leeds winger Willy Gnonto and Ajax striker Brian Brobbey named as targets, according to BBC Sport.

The news giants reported on 26 July, amid an interview with Everton defender Michael Keane, that the club were continuing to pursue moves for these two players, despite suggestions that Brobbey had made his intentions clear to stay at Ajax, which would put Everton off of a move.

These moves could happen on top of the completed deal for Arnaut Danjuma, with the Merseyside club not letting their heads drop despite multiple transfer rejections this summer, most recently from Almeria striker El Bilal Toure.

Keep moving (for) forwards

Everton will continue to press ahead with several targets being evaluated for moves to Goodison Park, despite continued rejection from targets this summer, as the club aim to strengthen in forward areas ahead of the new Premier League season.

Leeds’ Italian forward Gnonto has been named as a priority target for the Toffees this summer, and with each new report comes fresh optimism that this deal can be made after Leeds were relegated to the Championship last season.

It is clear where Everton and Sean Dyche feel their squad needs strengthening if they want to avoid yet another relegation battle, with their miserable tally of 34 goals from 38 games the second-worst in the league behind only Wolverhampton Wanderers.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s terrible injury record and Neal Maupay’s profligacy in front of goal, Everton are trying to ensure their new striker will be reliable when it comes to finding the net. The current striker duo managed just three goals between them last season.

In other Everton news, a midfielder has been given the green light to exit the club this summer.

Almeria striker El Bilal Toure set to jet in as decision made over Atalanta and Everton

Almeria striker El Bilal Toure is set to jet into Italy in the next 48 hours as he will join Atalanta over Everton, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.

The Italian newspaper claims [26 July, Page 20] that the 21-year-old will be moving to the Serie A outfit for £25.7million.

The Toffees, who appeared to be neck in neck in the race to sign the Mali international, have now lost out and will need to look at other options.

This one seemed difficult to happen in the first place as Atalanta certainly were the favourites to secure his services.

Unless Toure was desperate to play in the Premier League, the Serie A side looked to be in the driver’s seat as they can offer him European football.

Everton, on the other hand, have fought relegation battles two seasons in a row and do not have the financial pull to offer him higher wages than the market would.

The Toffees and Sean Dyche surely will have a plan in mind and may have lined up alternatives in case the Toure deal does not work out.

It remains to be seen whether or not they now look to prioritise a move for Leeds United attacker Wilfried Gnonto.

The Italy international can play as a striker as well and with Arnaut Danjuma signed, the Toffees and Dyche perhaps see him leading the line if they do sign him.

In other Everton news, an exit-linked Toffees player has recently been spotted in talks with a senior Goodison Park figure ahead of the new season.

BLUES JOIN STOKE, SHEFF WED, AND PRESTON IN RACE TO SIGN EVERTON FORWARD

Birmingham City have joined the race to sign Everton striker Tom Cannon on loan, according to journalist Alan Nixon.

The report also reveals Stoke City have also joined the race for him with Preston hoping to acquire his services once again after his loan spell.

The Republic Of Ireland international is one of the most sought after strikers in the Championship this season with a whole heap of clubs interested.

Cannon can leave for a season once Sean Dyche has found more cover in the frontline areas and they believe him will improve even more following his short stint with Preston.

Blues have been understood to have made contact with The Toffees for his services and could even offer a loan to buy arrangement.

Stoke appear to have the cash to also make a similar agreement but they are looking for multiple forwards.

The 20-year-old is no stranger to Championship football having scored 8 goals in 20 appearances for The Lilywhites last term.

He has showed how quickly a young player can rise through the ranks as he went from playing under-21’s football with Everton to regular Championship football after just three cameo appearances for the Toffees.

Another loan move for Cannon has been somewhat expected this summer, but matters have been complicated by the fact that Everton manager Sean Dyche has wanted to take a look at the youngster in pre-season.

Cannon took to the pitch against Stade Nyonnais of Switzerland but missed the most recent set of friendlies with a hamstring injury – his future though continues to get speculated on.