Sources: Brands plots new £25m Everton bid after agreeing £53m deal in fee & wages
By Wayne Veysey
Everton are ready to step up their pursuit of Lyon forward Bertrand Traore after finalising the capture of Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, Football Insider understands.
As reported by Football Insider, the Merseysiders are close to agreeing the capture of Gomes in a deal worth £53million in combined transfer fee and wages.
An Everton source has told Football Insider that director of football Marcel Brands is set to turn his attention to landing Traore once the Gomes signing is over the finish line.
He is plotting a £25million bid for Traore after the Goodison Park recruitment team were impressed by his performances in the French league last season.
The Burkina Faso international scored 11 goals and supplied five assists from 48 appearances in all competitions for Lyon in 2018-19, and has made huge progress since quitting Chelsea two years ago.
Everton want to sign a versatile attacker who can play across the front line, especially on the right flank.
Traore is left footed but has been playing predominantly on the right side for Lyon, cutting in on his favoured foot just like Mohamed Salah does for Liverpool as well as the likes of Gareth Bale and Arjen Robben.
Everton manager Marco Silva has given the green light for a concerted move for Traore, 23, who he believes has the potential to develop into a potent Premier League attacker.
The club's current first choice on the right flank is Theo Walcott, who has had a mixed time since signing from Arsenal in January of last year.