Everton chase 'Highly-Coveted' striker with tiny release clause, transfer exit on cards - report

Everton can sign Martin Braithwaite for just €600,000 [£507,000] thanks to a release clause in his contract, AS reports.

According to the Spanish outlet’s website on 3 July the “highly-coveted” striker is wanted by a trio of Premier League clubs in the Toffees, Leicester and Southampton, as well as three suitors in Europe – Spanish duo Getafe and Valencia and Greek champions PAOK.

Espanyol are reportedly trying to keep the 33-year-old after he fired them back to La Liga with 22 goals last term but his future is expected to lie elsewhere.

Everton want him and Premier League interest is seen as virtually impossible to resist for the Spanish side thanks to such a low release clause.

Braithwaite is said to be in a “complicated” and “contradictory” situation as he and his family are settled in the Barcelona area but he is unsatisfied with ambitions of the Espanyol board who are said to be planning minimal investment after promotion.

Everton can snap up striker ahead of Southampton and Leicester

A bargain move for a striker in his 30s might conjure up memories of Salomon Rondon arriving under Rafa Benitez but could make a lot of sense for Sean Dyche.

Uncertainty surrounds the future of Dominic Calvert-Lewin as he has entered the final year of his contract at Goodison Park and is not expected to sign an extension [Alan Myers, 24 June] despite a move to Newcastle collapsing.

Beto has also been linked to an exit with Jose Mourinho said to be interested in the Portuguese at Fenerbahce [Sabah, 17 June].

Braithwaite would clearly not be a long-term option, and scoring goals in the Spanish second tier is very different from scoring them in the Premier League, but the former Barcelona man had 10 in La Liga two seasons ago and for the price could be a steal for a season or two.

It seems likely that the Toffees will need to sign at least one centre-forward, and when goals were hard to come by last term it wouldn’t be a shock if multiple signings were on the cards there.

Iliman Ndiaye’s arrival is a positive step, but if Everton like Braithwaite it would appear the door is wide open thanks to his minimal fee, and although there appears to be more room for manoeuvre with the budget than in recent windows value for money surely remains a priority at Goodison.

In other Everton news, the club have now signed an “exciting” new youngster on a multi-year deal.

For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

The post Everton chase 'Highly-Coveted' striker with tiny release clause, transfer exit on cards - report appeared first on Goodison News.