Everton have reportedly joined a host of teams to have inquired about FC Cincinnati’s Brandon Vazquez.
What’s the latest on Everton’s interest in Vazquez?
As per The Athletic, multiple overseas teams are scouting the 24-year-old striker, with Everton a part of those ranks.
Along with the Merseyside club, Borussia Monchengladbach and Hoffenheim are also interested in acquiring the American.
FC Cincinnati turned down a bid of $7m (£5.6m) in the winter, via the Athletic. As a result, a larger bid may be needed to tempt the Orange and Blue into a sale.
How would Vazquez fit into Everton ahead of Gray?
The Toffees’ recent problems have been caused by an unstable defence and lack of goals upfront – not a good mixture to have.
In fact, Everton are just one goal above the bottom position for goals scored this season with 24. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury-plagued season has meant that the forward, who would be their usual outlet in the side, has only made 11 Premier League appearances this season.
It has become a problem that Sean Dyche has been trying to fix. Whether the solution comes in the form of current players such as Neal Maupay, Demarai Gray or Ellis Simms, Everton need an answer: looking to the States might provide.
Vazquez, who is €7m-rated (£6.2m) by Transfermarkt, has had a disappointing season so far for FC Cincinnati, but his previous year shows his potential.
The 24-year-old, described as a “hot commodity” by FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan, has just one goal this season. However, last season the United States international, who scored on his debut for the Stars and Stripes, accrued 18 goals in just 33 MLS appearances.
As well as this, the forward was consistent, as he was ranked second-highest on WhoScored with an average rating of 7.2 among his peers.
For the Toffees, it will be well known that there could be an answer for their defensive issues hidden within the MLS. Vazquez’s poor displays this season mean that he may be due a switch away from his homeland and Everton could provide.
If Dyche can find a way to get the 24-year-old to start firing, then he would be a perfect successor to the role Gray is currently fulfilling. As per FBref, Vazquez scored at a rate of 0.59 goals per 90 minutes last season. When this statistic is compared to Gray this season (0.17), he is considerably higher.
While there is no doubt performing in the Premier League is much tougher than the MLS and it is unlikely the California-born forward would reach the same numbers he did for FC Cincinnati, there is a proven goalscorer hidden away there which may enable Everton instant rewards if they can survive until next season.