Everton Opinion: The Toffees should go all out to sign Bertrand Traore

According to Liverpool Echo, Everton are interested in signing Lyon winger Bertrand Traore this summer.

The Burkina Faso international scored 11 goals and supplied five assists from 48 appearances last season, as Lyon finished third on the Ligue 1 table. His performances have caught the eye of Everton, who are plotting a £25m bid, the report adds.

The Toffees are close to making their second summer signing after Andre Gomes joined the club permanently from Barcelona after impressing on a season-long loan spell last term.

After completing the signing of Gomes, Marco Silva should shift his focus towards signing a prolific goalscorer ahead of the new season, with the Merseyside outfit struggling to replace the goalscoring ability of Romelu Lukaku over the past two years.

Cenk Tosun has proven to be a big-money flop since arriving at Goodison Park from Besiktas in January 2018. Dominic Calvert-Lewin did well in patches last term and has a lot to improve to come anywhere close to realistically replacing Lukaku.

With the strikers failing to score goals, the onus fell on Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson and while they did well, a new forward remains of paramount importance for Everton.

Theo Walcott, meanwhile, showed last season that his best years are behind him. He is 30 and was expected to kick on under Silva, but the former Arsenal man disappointed once again.

Walcott’s inability to contribute with his share of assists and goals means Silva could do a good job by selling him this summer and reinvesting the money from his sale into buying Bertrand Traore.

Traore did fail to make the grade at Chelsea but he’s been really making a name for himself with Lyon.

The 23-year-old joined the Ligue 1 side in 2017 and has racked up 29 goals and 12 assists in his two years with the club. He looks ready to take the next big step of his career and a move to Everton would the right move.

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The Burkina Faso international is a versatile attacker who is capable of playing across the front line, especially on the right flank.

Traore is nimble-footed, speedy, powerful and an excellent dribbler with the ball at his feet, capable of giving the full-backs a run for their money. He would offer the Toffees real width and flair which they currently lack.

Verdict

Traore would undoubtedly strengthen Everton’s squad, whilst potentially forming a formidable attack along with the likes of Richarlison, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Bernard. He’ll clearly be an upgrade on Walcott and would give Silva’s side the depth required to push for the top-six.