Transfer: Samuel Chukwueze in shock move to Everton

Everton has approached LaLiga side Villarreal’s rapid winger Samuel Chukwueze over a loan with an obligation to buy as Frank Lampard looks to strengthen his attacking options.

Frank Lampard’s side are trying to strengthen the team before the close of the transfer window on September 1 at 11pm.

A move for Chukwueze would be seen as a major coup for the Toffees as he is highly-rated and still only 23 years old.

Everton is in talks over an initial loan move for the Nigerian with an obligation to buy him for a fee between £34.3 million and £42.9 million.

This season, Nigeria’s Super Eagles Chukwueze has made five appearances in all competitions and has managed one goal and two assists so far.

Last season, the attacker showed some inconsistency as he played 38 times in all competitions, scoring seven times and assisted three more.

One of his goals came in the Champions League quarterfinal match against Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in which the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Everton is also looking at Watford’s exciting young attacker Joao Pedro, who has been linked with an exit from Vicarage Road all summer.

Watford have already sold one attacker this summer with Emmanuel Dennis moving to Nottingham Forest, whereas Ismailia Sarr is another attacker linked with an exit to a Premier League team.

Regarding Pedro, it would not be the first time Everton have swooped for a Brazilian striker from the Hornets as they signed Richarlison from the club in 2018.

The 25-year-old was a hit at Goodison Park until he left the club this summer for Tottenham Hotspur.

Pedro has found the net on two occasions this season in six Championship games, but he struggled to score consistently in the Premier League last term, only netting on three occasions.

Everton has lacked goals so far this season as they have only found the net on four occasions in their five Premier League games.

They have added Brighton’s Neal Maupay to their frontline, but the Frenchman is yet to play for the team due to registration issues although he could make his debut in their next match against Liverpool on Saturday.