Sources: Everton in Saturday transfer mission for Ludovic Ajorqu as £20m price revealed
Everton watched Strasbourg striker Ludovic Ajorque in action against Monaco in Ligue 1 on Saturday, sources have told Football Insider.
The 6ft 5in forward, 28, is a target for a number of clubs across Europe after impressing last season in Ligue 1.
Leicester City and Brentford are also pursuing Ajorque as they look to recruit a new striker before the transfer window shuts.
Everton have been left bereft up front following the sale of Richarlison to Tottenham and the knee injury to Dominic Calvert-Lewin that’s ruled him out for months.
Now they are scouting centre-forwards and are weighing up a move for Ajorque.
The French club’s president Marc Keller has given intermediary, Mark McKay, the mandate to sell the player to interested parties.
Ajorque has hit double figures for goals in each of the last four seasons with Strasbourg across all competitions.
He joined the Ligue 1 club in 2018 from top-flight French side Clermont Foot for a fee of around £2million and is now valued at 10 times that.
Salomon Rondon is now the Toffees’ only fit senior striker though he missed Saturday’s (6 August) 1-0 loss to Chelsea through suspension.
During his first full season at the club, the former Newcastle man struggled for form and only scored three goals in 23 total appearances.
Anthony Gordon was used as a makeshift striker in Saturday’s loss to Chelsea.
Dele Alli also found himself as the furthest man forward when he entered the field of play as a second half substitute.
Everton are next in action against Aston Villa next Saturday (13 August).
In other news, a pundit has issued a two-word verdict on Andre Gomes leaving Everton after journalist’s £20m update.