Everton have joined a host of English clubs interested in Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos, according to TEAMtalk.
What’s the latest on Everton’s interest in Morelos?
The ill-disciplined forward is being pursued by English clubs Crystal Palace, Burnley, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa.
However, Spanish outfits Sevilla and Villareal are also interested in Morelos.
The 26-year-old star has entered the final six months remaining on his contract, which means that teams will be able to negotiate a free transfer for the summer.
Would Morelos be a good signing for Everton?
The Toffees’ lack of attacking threat has landed them in trouble this season. Sitting just above the relegation zone on goal difference, Sean Dyche’s side have scored just 24 goals this season – one above the bottom place.
Not only have they had their usual outlet, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, struck with an injury-plagued 18 months, but the Merseyside club have also found themselves in trouble with financial fair play (FFP).
However, this misfortune points to Morelos as being a sensible signing for the relegation-threatened side. If they are to remain in the Premier League for the coming season, Everton will need to address their attack but the FFP ruling may make this difficult to do so.
Signing the Colombia international, who is valued at €7m (£6m) on Transfermarkt, on a free transfer would be a low-risk alternative to other strikers that would not land the club in trouble with FFP again.
The Cerete-born striker will come with a cost if he is signed, though. Due to the nature of the free transfer and the significant interest from other clubs, securing Morelos’ signature may need a larger wage package than his current £33k-per-week.
On the pitch, the high-tempered forward – who was once labelled as a “machine” by scout Jacek Kulig, has 14 goal contributions in 27 Scottish Premier League matches this season. As per FBref, Morelos has a goal per shot-on-target ratio of 0.35 this season, which is considerably higher than both Demarai Gray (0.11) and Neal Maupay (0.09).
The addition of the Rangers forward to Everton would likely be a relatively low-risk transfer and an upgrade on the Toffees’ current crop, but the Colombia international may stunt Ellis Simms’ growth. The 22-year-old, who spent the first part of the season at Sunderland, came off of the bench to equalise against Chelsea and has looked promising since.
The €4m-rated (£3.5m) striker needs game time if he is going to reach the level that his promising Everton career suggests he could, and having Morelos there may not help.
However, the Merseyside club need depth in their attack and that is what would be offered by the Rangers ace, who former strike partner Jermain Defoe hailed as “a natural goalscorer”. There is a world where both Morelos and Simms can spearhead the attack of Dyche’s side, thus the 26-year-old would be a good signing for the Toffees.