Sources: Everton set sights on signing Nicolas Jackson amid £27m release clause reveal
Everton have set their sights on signing Villarreal attacker Nicolas Jackson, sources from the club have told Football Insider.
Goodison Park scouts have been keeping close tabs on the Senegal forward, 21, and interest has accelerated after his man-of-the-match display in his team's La Liga opener against Real Valladolid.
Villarreal are keen to keep hold of Jackson but he has a £27million release clause and the club could be forced to sell.
Everton are in the market for attacking signings after Richarlison's exit and Dominic Calvert-Lewin's knee injury.
Fulham and Southampton are also monitoring Jackson's situation.
Villarreal beat Real Valladolid 3-0 on Saturday (13 August).
Jackson scored the opening goal for the Unai Emery's side.
The winger made seven appearances for Villarreal in La Liga last season.
In those outings he provided one assist.
The 21-year-old has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
He made the step up to senior side from the club's B team this summer.
Everton manager Frank Lampard is desperate to bolster his attack before the window closes.
Speaking to club media (3 August), Lampard said there is "no timeframe" on Calvert-Lewin's return after picking up an injury in training.
Everton have suffered defeat in their opening two Premier League games of the 2022-23 season.
They were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea last weekend (6 August).
Yesterday (13 August), they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa.