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Football

18th Jul 2018

Everton close in on former Arsenal and Spurs target with Yannick Bolasie heading for exit

He was close to moving to Spurs back in January

Reuben Pinder

What a signing this would be

Marco Silva only has three and a half weeks remaining to complete his business before his first season in charge of Everton, and he’s eager to bring in more attacking flair.

Everton’s main issue going forward last season was a lack of width in attack, with Yannick Bolasie ruled out for most of the season and the need to fit Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney into the same team. That was somewhat adressed with the arrival of Theo Walcott in January, and Silva is hopeful of adding more quality this summer.

Having grown frustrated with the lack of progress in their pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha, Marco Silva has turned his attenti0n towards Bordeaux winger Malcom.

Talks between Everton and Bordeaux chairman Stephane Martin to discuss the potential transfer of the Brazilian are scheduled for this week, according to The Mirror. The deal is likely to cost Everton around £30m in transfer fees and £80,000 per week in wages.

Both Tottenham and Arsenal expressed interest in signing Malcom last January, but Bordeaux’s asking price deterred both clubs from making a formal approach. Spurs instead signed Lucas Moura from Paris Saint-Germain.

Malcom’s arrival at Goodison Park would push Yannick Bolasie further towards the exit door. Bolasie started well at Everton but a knee injury that kept him out for a whole year has seen him drop down the pecking order.

Everton are reportedly keen on sending Bolasie on loan to Turkish club Feenerbahçe, but the 29-year-old is settled in the United Kingdom and would rather not have to move across the continent.

Everton’s pre-season got off to a flying start, as they won 22-0 against ATV Irdning. Although that result should probably be taken with a pinch of salt, given that they are a seventh tier side in Austria.