Everton are willing to pay up to £13 million (€15 million) to ward off the competition and secure the signing of Sassuolo striker Diego Falcinelli, according to TuttoMercatoWeb.
The transfer website reports that the Toffees are ready to outbid any other suitors for the 25-year-old, which include a host of Italian and English clubs, in order to bring the forward to Merseyside.
Falcinelli led the line for Sassuolo’s fellow Serie A side Crotone on loan in the recently completed season, netting an impressive 13 goals in 35 appearances to attract the attention of a number of top European clubs.
Alongside Everton, Falcinelli has been monitored by their Premier League rivals West Brom and Crystal Palace, as well as Italian sides Udinese, Torino and Sampdoria, as reported by TuttoMercatoWeb.
The 6’1″ striker has made just 30 league appearances for his parent club since signing for the North Italian side back in 2011, although he has made his debut for the Italian national team, in an 8-0 friendly victory over San Marino back in May.
Everton’s interest comes ahead of a summer in which star striker Romelu Lukaku is expected to depart Goodison Park after an outstanding Premier League season.
The Belgian striker hit 25 goals in 37 appearances to finish second on the Premier League top scorers list, and as such boss Ronald Koeman faces a real struggle to find a replacement for the 24-year-old.