Everton are in the hunt for exit-bound Lyon midfielder Romain Faivre after his successful half-season on loan at Lorient, Foot Mercato reports.
Having apparently lost the faith of Laurent Blanc he is on the market, with Lorient eager to sign him permanently after five goals and three assists in Ligue 1 in just 16 appearances as he filled the gap left by Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara.
However, there was no permanent option in his loan deal and Lyon are tipped to go with the highest bidder for his services this summer, as the club “needs money”, which is expected to be a Premier League side.
His asking price is reportedly no less than €15million [£12.8million] and there is interest from both Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Foot Mercato had previously reported the London sides being on the 24-year-old’s case on 25 May, so it appears Everton are a new addition to the race for the versatile player who can feature in the middle or on either flank.
Sean Dyche needs to add to his creative options and given the recent record of successfully getting signings over the line he likely needs to go for players whose club is actively looking to move on.
Talks are reportedly on between the Toffees and Leeds [Football Transfers, 18 June] over their wide forwards Willy Gnonto and Jack Harrison, either of whom would be solid additions given their Premier League experience.
But if both prove unavailable it looks like they have identified Faivre as a relatively cheap alternative option, although whether he is cheap enough is another matter.
The finances at Goodison Park seem to forever be in doubt currently, and despite a number of players leaving at the end of their contracts it may take sales to fund incoming business.
And the January window showed how Premier League rivals were capable of hoovering up targets that might otherwise have been on the cards at Goodison Park so two top flight clubs already being in the race might make it tough.
Dyche needs to add and Faivre is coming off a revitalised half-season loan so the reason for the interest is clear, but the club have gone a long time since they won any transfer race so they need to start proving they can again soon.