Everton face race against time after two suitors lock onto new striker target

Everton could make a late move for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard before the transfer window closes, according to reports.

It has been a summer of low spending for Everton, although they have brought in some useful reinforcements. Demarai Gray is the only player they have paid for and he cost just £1.7m, which could be a bargain. They have also secured the free signings of midfielder Andros Townsend and goalkeepers Asmir Begovic and Andy Lonergan.

But they could be ready for one final flourish in the transfer market before the August 31st deadline. Their activity will likely be reactive to player exits but they are already putting plans in place.

Two players who look likely to leave are playmaker James Rodriguez and forward Moise Kean. The former has fallen out of the first-team plans under Rafa Benitez, while the latter looks set to return to Juventus to help fill their Cristiano Ronaldo-shaped void.

In the event that both leave, reinforcements will be required. It seems the club are already working on contingency plans.

For example, there has been speculation that they could send Rodriguez back to Porto, his first European club, and take Luis Diaz in return. As for the centre-forward role, it was an area they were looking to bolster anyway regardless of Kean’s future.

Now, one of their potential targets has emerged. According to Sky Sports News, Everton are showing an interest in Edouard – although they are not his only suitors.

Edouard has impressed for Celtic since joining them from Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. He is now in the final year of his contract, though, and is looking for a new challenge.

Earlier in the transfer window, Edouard was keen to move to one of the top five leagues in Europe. Now, though, he has been the subject of an offer from Russian side Rubin Kazan, as per Sky.

Rubin Kazan would be willing to pay £15.4m over three instalments to take the 23-year-old. However, Bordeaux are keen to take Edouard back to France and could match the offer.

In the background, Everton possess an interest, although it is a case of selling before buying.

They have also been looking into a potential deal for Brighton striker Neal Maupay to ease the burden on main man up front, Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Edouard has high wage demands

A number of Premier League clubs have shown an interest in Edouard over recent months. For example, Brendan Rodgers considered a reunion at Leicester, who ultimately signed Patson Daka instead.

There was also interest from Arsenal, while Brighton thought about him as they looked to increase their efficiency in front of goal.

However, Edouard’s wage demands priced him out of a move to the south coast. It was reported earlier this month that he is hoping for a contract worth at least £85,000 per week.

That forced Brighton to look elsewhere, but it remains to be seen if Everton will be willing to meet such demands.

First of all, though, they must wait for outgoing deals to go through – and hope Edouard hasn’t moved elsewhere before then.

READ MORE: Everton confident of wrapping up key loan transfer, claims reputable source

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