Everton have been linked with a move for Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee.
The Dutch international is said to be on a shortlist of potential forwards as David Moyes looks to strengthen.
The Toffees desperately need investment upfront in January, with the quality of recruitment likely to make or break the season.
Gabriel Jesus has previously been linked with a move, but Arsenal are reportedly reluctant to allow the Brazilian to leave.
Former Brentford striker Ivan Toney is also rumoured to be on Moyes’ radar. However, the Al-Ahli player’s wage demands could potentially be a stumbling block.
Indeed, Moyes could instead resurrect old habits and look to a United reject to bolster his options.
Zirkzee has scored a mere seven goals in 54 games since his summer 2024 move from Bologna.
EVERTON NEED A GOALSCORER IN JANUARY – IS ZIRKZEE THE ANSWER?
The 24-year-old arrived with a burgeoning reputation. He finished the 2023/24 season as Bologna’s top scorer, with 11 goals and four assists.
However, his £36.5m move to Old Trafford has failed to yield any tangible results in front of goal.
The Dutchman has previously represented the Blues, playing twice in a 2017 trial. No permanent deal could be reached, however, and Zirkzee joined Bayern Munich’s academy instead.
It seems the forward did come close to agreeing a move to the Toffees, reflecting upon it some years later.
He said: “Everton was a serious option for me, because Ronald Koeman was the manager of the first team and I didn’t have many strikers in front of me at that time.
“Romelu Lukaku left for Manchester United that summer and Everton gave me a feeling there was a good chance to come through there.
“When I was there, they offered me a contract straightaway.”
His goal ratio since moving to England doesn’t inspire confidence that he’s the answer to our lacklustre forward line.
However, the rumours with this one seem pretty strong, so perhaps it’s one to keep an eye on.