Everton have held talks regarding a deal for Burnley striker Zian Flemming ahead of the summer transfer window.
Flemming set to leave Burnley
It has been a season to forget for the Clarets, who have long since been relegated from the Premier League, having collected just 21 points all season, but Flemming has managed to impress on a personal level, scoring ten goals in 27 appearances.
Ex-Burnley boss Scott Parker has spoken fondly of the former Millwall man, and made it clear he believes his best position is cente-forward, saying: "I know he played as a 10 at Millwall, but I see him as a striker in the box and last season he played that role constantly. He never played as a 10. He’s very rarely played as a 10 for me.
"I think you're seeing real improvements in that. I see him as that guy and he's got some good box habits. He's a good finisher, which we've seen. He's done fantastic to score the goals he scored as well.
zian-flemming-burnley
“You've seen a real gradual improvement in Zian and that goes for a lot of them, to be honest with you. But Zian's been brilliant in that.”
A whole host of clubs have emerged as potential suitors for the 27-year-old, according to a report from Sports Boom, which credits Coventry City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United and Everton with an interest.
The striker's agents have offered him up to the Toffees as a low-cost addition to David Moyes' squad, with calls from his representatives at an 'all time high'.
Burnley are ready to enter negotiations for around €20m (£17m), with the Dutchman set to depart, given that he has no interest in playing in the Championship, off the back of a productive campaign in the Premier League, most recently netting in a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.
Despite Burnley enduring a difficult campaign, Flemming has also outscored both of Everton's current strikers in the Premier League.
Beto and Thierno Barry's season by numbers
Beto had scored just one goal before New Year this season, but his goal tally for the season now stands at nine, having found the net on five occasions in his last six matches.
Thierno Barry has also struggled at times, but he has now scored eight goals, having bagged a brace in the 3-3 draw against Manchester City earlier this month.
Everton's Thierno Barry shoots at goal
Both strikers are starting to show signs of improvement, but Everton cannot afford to deal with inconsistency if they are going to make a serious push for the European places next season.
On the other hand, Flemming's performances suggest he could flourish in a better side, and £17m feels like a very reasonable fee for the striker.
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