Everton now 'making surprise move' for £5m striker at Goodison Park | OneFootball

Everton are ‘making a surprise move’ for Reading striker Lucas Joao in the dying stages of the January transfer window, journalist Pete O’Rourke has told GiveMeSport.

The Toffees have been linked with a surprise move for the 29-year-old as new manager Sean Dyche looks to add some much-needed firepower to his faltering forward line.

Everton transfer news – Lucas Joao

According to the Daily Mail, Everton are interested in bringing 6 foot 4 Joao to the club after seeing several approaches for alternative targets turned down.

The Goodison Park outfit have scored just 15 goals in their opening 20 Premier League games of the season, the second-lowest tally in the division behind only Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Joao is likely to be a hugely underwhelming solution for Everton fans, though, given he has found the back of the net on just five occasions in his 24 appearances for Reading throughout 2022/23.

Securing the services of the Angola international, who cost Reading £5 million, may provide Dyche with an extra body to call upon, but there are serious doubts over whether he has the required quality.

What has O’Rourke said about Lucas Joao?

O’Rourke has told GMS that he doesn’t believes ‘too many Everton fans will be too happy’ with this potential deal as their side look to fight off relegation for the second consecutive season.

He said: “It’s been a difficult window for Everton. Obviously, Sean Dyche is now in the building, but they are struggling to get deals done.

“They’ve been in for a number of targets but haven’t been able to get any of those over the line at the minute and now it does seem like they’re making a surprise move for Luca Joao from Reading.

“I don’t think too many Everton fans will be too happy with this deal. It’s a bit of an underwhelming thing for Evertonians after seeing Anthony Gordon leave, but I think it just shows what Everton are dealing with right now.”

Who else could Everton sign?

French outlet L’Equipe have claimed that Everton are in talks to sign former Swansea City and West Ham United forward Andre Ayew on a free transfer.

The 33-year-old recently left Qatari side Al-Sadd following an 18-month stint there and could return to English shores imminently.

Ayew would be another underwhelming addition to Everton’s ranks, though, and the club’s fan base will surely be hoping a player of higher quality arrives ahead of tonight’s deadline.