Everton have now shifted their focus towards signing a Juventus attacker, who's certain to leave the Italian giants when the summer arrives.
Everton plotting move to sign Juventus attacker
It's a big summer for Everton. They showed plenty of ambition last summer when they splashed out on the likes of Thierno Barry and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and could now bridge the gap on the European places by spending big yet again.
David Moyes hasn't been afraid to admit Everton's European ambitions this season, either. Even though they remain three points adrift of Brentford and eight behind rivals Liverpool, the veteran manager told reporters that the Toffees aren't ready to give up quite yet.
"We’re not quite ready to give up our ambition to make Europe. We are going to try and keep going for it, why would we not?
"I could easily turn up here and say ‘By the way, we’re having a pretty comfortable season so let’s forget about it’, but it’s the opposite. We are definitely trying to keep pushing."
Moyes deserves plenty of credit for how he's taken the Toffees' from bottom-half frustration to European contention since returning to the club, and recent transfer rumours suggest that he'll be backed by The Friedkin Group in the summer.
To that end, the likes of John Stones have been threatening to steal the headlines as of late. The Manchester City centre-back is on course to become a free agent at the end of the season and could reportedly return to Everton.
The England international left for the Etihad in 2016 for a hefty £47m and could now come full-circle by returning to Merseyside as a serial winner.
Manchester City's John Stones applauds fans after the match
He's not the only one on the Toffees' radar, however. Friedkin have also set their sights on attacking targets, including Juventus winger Edon Zhegrova.
According to reports in Italy, as relayed by Sport Witness, Everton are plotting a move to sign Zhegrova, who is certain to leave Juventus this summer after just one year in Turin, with an English club his likely destination.
Everton could take advantage of Juventus ruthlessness
It's been a tough debut season for Zhegrova, so much so that it could prove to be his last at Juventus. The winger is yet to score a goal for the Italian giants and his struggles were epitomised against Galatasaray, as the Serie A giants crashed out in extra-time and he missed a golden opportunity.
After such a disappointing run, there aren't many players who need an instant fresh start more than Zhegrova and that's where Everton could come in.
The Toffees have been the team of revivals this season, with Jack Grealish impressing on loan before suffering a season-ending injury and Dewsbury-Hall also rediscovering his best form.
It's worth noting that, before his current Juventus spell, the 26-year-old impressed at Lille. Just last season, Zhegrova scored eight goals in France to earn a move to Turin.
The quality is still there if Everton can unlock it. Whether the Toffees decide to push on and make their interest official remains to be seen, however.