Everton are close agreeing a deal worth £25m for Udinese striker Beto to beat West Ham to his signature, according to Graeme Bailey.
Writing on his personal Twitter account (26 August), the 90min journalist reports that the Hammers had taken a close look at the Brazilian for their own striker search.
But with Everton “desperate” to land a striker before Friday’s deadline, they are now close to bringing in the Serie A ace for themselves.
“Everton have put together a package worth £25m for Udinese striker Beto and sources suggest deal is close,” he wrote.
“West Ham amongst clubs to have taken a close look at Beto but Everton could finally land striker they are desperate to bring in.”
Everton have clearly had Beto on their list for a while because reports suggested that they made a move for him as far back as the January window.
But this summer they have tried their hand at a number of attacking options first, almost as if they knew the Beto deal was there to do if needed.
Sean Dyche is known for liking a target man figure as his number nine and Beto fits the bill, although his goal record doesn’t scream prolific.
At £25m he is quite an expensive signing considering our current financial situation and we need him to hit the ground running and if he can’t find the net himself, he needs to be able to create space and opportunities for others to score.
There are goals in the team and Beto could be the missing piece of the jigsaw to help get them out, but with rivals also circling we need to get this deal done and sealed as soon as possible.