OPINION
Everton must make a swoop to sign OGC Nice forward Allan Saint-Maximin in the summer transfer window with Marco Silva in desperate need of strengthening his attack.
Saint-Maximin, 21, has been in dazzling form in France this season, scoring six goals and supplying three assists in 24 appearances across all competitions, which has led to reported interest from Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
Italian news outlet Calcio Mercato has reported that Dortmund have had a bid worth £21.8million rejected by Nice, who want at least £26.2million for the highly-rated France Under-21 international.
While that is a lot of money, it is money that Everton should want to spend in a heartbeat because Saint-Maximin could solve a major issue in Silva’s attack.
Saint-Maximin has bags of potential and has started to show at Nice this term why he is valued so highly.
He has played in several different positions for the Ligue 1 side, appearing on both wings, up front as a striker and even left-back.
While the former Monaco ace is versatile, his best positions has to be on the right wing, which is an area that Everton cannot afford to overlook in the summer.
Theo Walcott has been woeful for the Toffees this term and for whatever reason, Ademola Lookman cannot seem to break into Silva’s first team with the Englishman also been widely-linked with a move away from Goodison Park.
Saint-Maximin, based on current form, is an upgrade on both of these wingers, with Dortmund’s interest in him proving that there is a player that the Blues need to monitoring if they want to improve their squad.
As Saint-Maximin is also quite a young player, there is the potential for him to grow at Goodison Park and become worth way more than his current valuation.
Everton could hit the jackpot if they sign the electric attacker and Marcel Brands needs to try to wrap this deal up before Dortmund come in and eventually meet Nice’s asking price.