Everton have been handed a £40m price tag in their pursuit of FC Midtjylland striker Franculino Dju.
Everton News outline that following the 21-year-old striker's impressive form, Everton and West Ham are just two of the Premier League sides to have done their homework on Dju, who has scored 11 goals in 11 games so far this Superligaen season.
With three goals in nine Europa League outings also under his belt, Dju has courted attention across European football, but the substantial fee that the Danish giants have slapped on the starlet could thwart a move.
Everton Set £40m Fee For Franculino
Franculino
Everton have struggled for goals so far this top flight campaign under David Moyes, with recognised number nine Beto specifically suffering a barren run, with just one goal in his first eight outings.
Therefore, the Toffees' interest in Franculino, described as 'absolutely unstoppable' by Danish Scout, is no surprise given his eye-catching form in his third season in the Danish top flight after joining from the Benfica youth ranks in 2023.
Franculino has proven himself to be a proven goalscorer in the Danish league, with 47 goals in 94 games for Midtjylland, but his £40m price tag could prove too lofty for his Premier League suitors.
Journalist Graeme Bailey told Everton News: "As it stands it is far from certain that he leaves Midtjylland, from what I am told the asking price is close to £40million and that is really just Midtjylland saying not for sale.
"He is on the list of a number of clubs and Everton have looked, West Ham did in the summer and there are more.
“The belief is that things can change by January, but as it stands a move is not looking likely.”
Most recently, Franculino scored a brace against Maccabi Tel Aviv to inspire a 3-0 win in the Europa League for Midtjylland, continuing his stellar early-season form.
The 21-year-old was player-of-the-match against Tel Aviv on Thursday evening after scoring either side of half-time, with former Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing also on the scoresheet.
Franculino scored with his only two shots on target throughout the clash, created a chance for his side and also enjoyed a 100% successful dribble rate.
The 14-capped Guinea-Bissau international clearly has a lot of promise, given his exceptional goalscoring record in Denmark, and could prove to be an exciting signing for Everton if they do meet Midtjylland's reported £40m demands for the young striker.