OPINION
Everton must make a swoop to sign Celtic winger James Forrest in the summer transfer window after it was reported that the Scotland international will be valued at £10million.
The Times has reported that Brendan Rodgers could look to raid Celtic Park after quitting the Scottish giants to take charge at Leicester on Tuesday.
It is understood that the Bhoys are braced for offers for Forrest, who has been one of the stand-out players in Scotland during Rodgers’ time in Glasgow.
Forrest has made 44 appearances across all competitions this season, scoring 13 goals and supplying 18 assists in the process and considering Everton’s weakness on the right wing, the jet-heeled 27-year-old could be a masterstroke of a signing for the Toffees in the summer.
Theo Walcott has been a huge letdown this term and Ademola Lookman is struggling to get any decent game-time under Marco Silva.
Everton fans might scoff at the idea of signing a Celtic player but Forrest would without doubt be an upgrade on Walcott.
He is in the prime of his career, scoring goals for fun and is regularly creating opportunities for his team-mates.
If there is one player at Celtic Park that would flourish in the Premier League it would be Forrest, whose pace and eye for goal would be a welcome addition to the first team at Goodison as it would frighten the life out of a lot of defenders in England’s top-flight.
Also for just £10million, there’s hardly any risk for Everton.
They have spent over the odds on some major flops in the last few years and Forrest should be a no-brainer for Marcel Brands at a fraction of what he is actually worth.
Everton have to try and get this deal done in the summer before Rodgers can beat them to the punch since joining Leicester.
Hopefully Forrest will be put off by the idea of linking up with Rodgers after ditching Celtic earlier this week as that could play right into Everton’s hands.