Youssef Chermiti is “a small step away” from joining Everton in a £17.1m transfer from Sporting CP, according to a report from O Jogo.
Writing on their official website (1 August), the Portuguese news outlet report that the 19-year-old striker is close to a deal for an initial £12.8m plus an added £4.3m in bonuses and a 20% sell-on clause.
The young forward will “realise a dream” of moving to the Premier League once the deal is completed, with Sean Dyche keen to add to his attacker numbers ahead of the new season.
“There is a principle of agreement between Everton and Sporting. Operation reaches €20M (£17.1m) if certain objectives are me,” they wrote.
“Chermiti is a small step away from realizing his dream and transferring to the Premier League to play for Everton, a club that submitted a proposal of 15 million euros (£12.8m), plus five in goals to Sporting.
“In addition, the Alvalade club intends to keep 20 percent of a future sale.”
Everton don’t have the funds to get transfers wrong, and the striker position is something that has needed to be addressed properly for years.
Chermiti is as raw as they come and the step up to the Premier League is a huge one for him, so the high transfer fee is quite baffling.
There is clearly potential there though and his style of play is one that tends to attract chances, with good movement and instincts.
But this signing in isolation simply isn’t going to be enough for Everton and Dyche with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury troubles showing no sign of letting up and a lack of other serious options apparent.
The deal is almost done and a key area is being partially addressed, but fans have to hope that there is more to come before the end of the window if not before the season starts against Fulham on August 12.
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