Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain could influence Everton's next signing amid El Bilal Toure interest
Everton have been monitoring Almeria forward El Bilal Toure this summer and his club is open to a deal. Other business could yet stand in the Blues' way, however
The domino effect of moves between some of football’s biggest names may dictate the next stage of Everton's summer transfer business.
The Blues have been linked with a move for Almeria striker El Bilal Toure for several weeks and, as previously reported by the ECHO, the Spanish club is open to selling the 21-year-old.
The forward is also being tracked by Atalanta, however, and with Almeria looking to squeeze every Euro out of potential suitors to fund its own transfer plans, the Serie A side could soon gain the upper hand. That is because interest is intensifying in the Italian outfit's starlet Rasmus Hojlund. Hojlund has emerged as one of the hottest prospects in Europe this summer and Manchester United are one of several clubs tracking the 20-year-old. They could face competition from Paris Saint-Germain amid the intrigue over Kylian Mbappe’s future.
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Everton’s interest in Toure was first reported at the beginning of July. Back then, his club’s general director Mohamed El Assy made clear there existed a willingness to do business over Toure - should the price be right - with the La Liga outfit looking to raise funds to support wider progress. Almeria narrowly avoided relegation last season and have approached this summer willing to sell players should competitive offers arrive. El Assy told local publication Diario de Almeria: “Regarding sales, I always say that the only way to grow is that, to sell players… That is why we always have the doors open to sell to all players, without problems, but as long as they are well valued.”
The Almeria chief namechecked Everton as an interested party, though any pursuit was not thought to have been advanced at that stage. Interest in Toure from Everton has remained though. It was sparked after the Mali international enjoyed an impressive season that saw him score seven goals in 21 league appearances - including a winner against Barcelona.
While Arnaut Danjuma has arrived on loan from Villarreal and Ashley Young - who played on the wing at Wigan Athletic at the weekend - has also signed, Everton still have work to do to strengthen Sean Dyche’s options for the upcoming campaign. Nowhere is that more obvious than in attack and a player who can challenge and cover for Dominic Calvert-Lewin is deemed essential. Toure would be a solid fit for that role and, while Almeria’s hierarchy is keen to push for a deal that is close to his 40m Euro release clause, the club would likely sell for beneath that fee. Any business this summer will be influenced by attempting to avoid a drawn out saga such as the one that undermined the club’s campaign last season. Back then, Almeria sold key striker Umar Sadiq on the final day of the summer transfer window after months of speculation over his future and then ended up in a relegation battle the club only just won.
Everton’s hope of a route to a deal for Toure may be dictated by the interest in Hojlund though. With clubs circling for the Danish star, Atalanta are exploring replacement options that include Toure. Should Hojlund move it could hand Atalanta, which can already offer Europa League football, a transfer war chest capable of giving it the upper hand over Everton's negotiators, who are operating on a tight budget.