Everton a ‘serious rival’ to PL side poised to submit huge bid for prolific forward – report

Sun 17 December 2017 17:46, UK

Sam Allardyce could yet sign Moussa Dembele for Everton in January despite Brighton plotting an £18million bid for the striker, according to a report.

The Daily Mail reports that the Seagulls are planning an £18million offer with a clause which would give Celtic 10% of any future transfer fee in order to sign Dembele.

However, the report also states that Everton “could yet emerge as a serious rival” for the striker.

The Hoops striker recently refused to rule out a move in January, saying: “I can say it is part of the plan (to stay) – but the plan can change. It can change,” as quoted by the Daily Record.

Wayne Rooney has spoke of the Toffees need to sign a striker and even referenced Mousa Dembele in a recent interview on the Alan Brazil show on talkSPORT.

Rooney called Dembele a great goalscorer in Scotland but admitted it was different in England, before revealing he rated Olivier Giroud highly.

Football Insider Verdict

Dembele has played in the Premier League before with Fulham, even though they were two brief cameo appearances. In the 45 minutes he played against Everton when he was 17-years-old, he showed glimpses of potentially being a threat in the Premier League due to his strength. Since then Dembele has improved heaps and bounds from his time in the Championship and in the Scottish Premier League. Allardyce would be wise to sign the 21-year-old who could help the team from January but also improve under his guidance. The only sticking point is Brighton’s interest in the player driving up the price.