Everton: £106m star would now be 'real marquee signing' at Goodison Park | OneFootball

Everton boss Sean Dyche could complete a 'real marquee signing' by luring Benfica star Florentino Luis to Goodison Park this summer, journalist Pete O'Rourke has told GiveMeSport.

Dyche was appointed as the Toffees' new chief last month, following the sacking of Frank Lampard, and will be handed the opportunity to bolster his squad when the transfer window reopens.

According to Portuguese media outlet Record, Everton sent scouts to watch Luis in action during Benfica's Champions League last-16 first leg victory over Club Brugge last week.

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The report suggests the Merseyside outfit are huge admirers of the midfielder and, while a formal offer has not been tabled at this stage, his current employers will not entertain any imminent proposals.

Luis has a release clause worth close to £106million written into his contract, which still has just shy of four-and-a-half years to run, so Benfica are in a strong negotiating position.

But Everton are not the only Premier League side targeting the 23-year-old as arch-rivals Liverpool and title chasers Arsenal have been monitoring his progress.

Dyche is keeping his options open as, along with Luis, transfer insider Dean Jones recently told GiveMeSport that Eintracht Frankfurt talisman Daichi Kamada is on the Toffees' radar.

What has Pete O'Rourke said about Luis?

O'Rourke believes Everton could show they mean business by winning the race for Luis' services in the summer.

The journalist is aware that the Portugal under-21 international is being coveted by numerous clubs due to establishing himself as a leading defensive midfielder.

O'Rourke told GiveMeSport: "He would be a big signing if they could get him. He's got a huge release clause at Benfica, so I don't think Everton will be getting anywhere near that, but Florentino Luis has had a really good season for Benfica.

"His stats are right up there with the best defensive midfielders in Europe so, if Everton were able to pull off this signing, he would be a real marquee signing because there are a number of top clubs across Europe monitoring his situation as well."

Would Luis be an exciting signing for Everton?

FBref statistics show Luis has averaged more assists, tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90 minutes than current Everton midfielder Amadou Onana this season.

That emphasises the Benfica man could be an upgrade on the Belgium international, who completed a £33million switch from Lille last August.

There is no doubt that Luis would offer Everton's backline additional protection as, ahead of a clash with Vizela on Saturday, Sofascore data highlighted he had been averaging 2.5 tackles, two interceptions and 0.9 clearances every Primeira Liga appearance since the campaign got underway.

With only three sides suffering more Premier League defeats than the Toffees this term, heading into the weekend, his presence could be crucial in Dyche making his side more defensively resilient.

Luis was handed a 7.3 match rating by WhoScored when Everton scouts were in attendance to watch Benfica overcome Club Brugge earlier this month, so he will have earned rave reviews and should be made a priority target.