Everton line up January move for Sporting Lisbon striker Seydou Doumbia as Ronald Koeman searches for Romelu Lukaku replacement
Toffees boss eyes Ivory Coast striker - who has £55m release clause - after disappointing start to Premier League season
EVERTON are considering a January move for Sporting Lisbon striker Seydou Doumbia.
The Ivory Coast international has shone since joining the Portuguese club from Roma this summer, scoring Champions League goals against Steaua Bucharest and Olympiakos.
Toffees boss Ronald Koeman is still trying to fill the gap created by Romelu Lukaku‘s £80million departure for Manchester United.
Sandro Ramirez was signed for £5.2m from Malaga but the former Barcelona ace has made a slow start to life in England.
Wayne Rooney has netted the Merseysiders’ only two Premier League goals since his emotional return to Goodison Park.
But with his side currently in the bottom three, Koeman knows he cannot rely on the ex-Manchester United legend alone to supply goals.
And club officials have made enquiries about a possible deal for Doumbia, who had a brief spell on loan to Newcastle in early 2016.
Everton were linked with the striker in 2013 during his time with CSKA Moscow.
Sporting have written a £55m release clause into his contract, despite landing him from Serie A runners-up Roma for a cut-price £3m. His deal with the Primeira Liga outfit runs until 2020.
The 29-year-old inspired Basel to a Swiss league and cup double during his loan spell with them last season.
He has won six trophies with CSKA, including two Russian league titles, and has three Footballer of the Year crowns – two from his spell with Swiss outfit Young Boys Berne and the other with the Moscow club.
Capped 36 times, Doumbia won the African Nations Cup with the Elephants in 2015.
