Everton now working on £21m deal to sign “special” star before Liverpool

As the Friedkin Group look to make their mark once again, Everton are reportedly already working on a £21m deal to sign an attacking talent ahead of Merseyside rivals Liverpool this summer.

Everton transfer news

The Toffees have certainly had more reason to be positive since the return of David Moyes, having steered clear of the relegation zone and onto likely safety in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Friedkin haven’t exactly had a bad start away from the action – welcoming Carlos Alcaraz on loan from Flamengo in what should hand Moyes an exciting player in central midfield.

Whilst defeat in the FA Cup did bring their momentum to a frustrating halt, the Toffees have the perfect chance to bounce back when they host the final ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday. It’s there that they’ll have the chance to prevent rivals Liverpool from going as many as nine points clear in the Premier League title race – at which point it would undeniably be theirs to lose.

It’s not just on the pitch that those at Goodison Park could stand in the way of the Reds, however. According to reports in Spain, Everton are already working on a deal to sign Rayan Cherki ahead of Liverpool this summer in a transfer that would be worth €25m (£21m). Reportedly in pole position, the Toffees look set to swoop in on a player who has long been linked with their rivals.

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This former Everton talent has turned into a superstar of a player.

The young attacking midfielder, who can also play on both the right and left-hand side of a front three, looks destined to leave Lyon even after he was denied the chance to do so and join Borussia Dortmund in the January transfer window.

Given Lyon’s desperate financial situation, they won’t be able to remain firm forever and will likely have no choice but to sell if the likes of Everton come calling. With Liverpool also reportedly interested, meanwhile, the French club could quickly commence quite the race between the two Merseyside clubs.

“Special” Cherki would ignite Everton’s attack

Whilst Moyes has so far managed to get an electric tune out of what was a choir-like attack under Sean Dyche, there’s no denying that he still needs fresh faces within his frontline. And that’s where Cherki should come in.

The 21-year-old has been one of the most highly-praised talents in European football at times this season, including from Ben Mattinson. The analyst went as far as to say that the Lyon man is a “special creator” who is “creative from all areas of the pitch” last month.

The stats certainly only add credit to that verdict too. In a struggling Lyon side, Cherki has been involved in 17 goals in all competitions so far this season – finding the back of the net six times himself and creating another 11 goals.

The Frenchman looks destined for the top, which could yet feature a summer switch to the Premier League and Everton.