Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici has travelled to England to negotiate with Everton over a possible move for Moise Kean, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
The Toffees are understood to be “very interested” in the 19-year-old striker, who is also believed to be keen on the move after positive discussions with his agent Mino Raiola.
The report does suggest that Everton could face “strong competition” for the Italian international, with other potential destinations also being touted.
TiF Tactics – What would Kean bring to Everton?
In short, Kean looks as if he could be the striker that Everton have been crying out for ever since Romelu Lukaku left the club.
There have been a number of failed experiments in that time, and the less said about Oumar Niasse and Cenk Tosun the better, but the closest the Toffees have really come has been with Dominic Calvert-Lewin leading the line last season.
The England youth international is a promising player, but he is more of a hold up man than anything else.
On paper, he and Kean seem relatively close in several key areas, such as their average shots per game and key passes per match last season, with both separated by just 0.1, as per Whoscored. [Calvert-Lewin] [Kean]
But one area in which Kean excels is his dribbling ability. The young Italian registered 1.1 dribbles per match last term, compared to just 0.6 from Calvert-Lewin.
That added mobility and directness could prove to be a vital weapon that the Blues have been missing since Lukaku left, and it could be key to a more fruitful forward line.
Likely to happen?
The signs are certainly positive. The fact that Paratici has flown in is surely a good omen for the Blues, and any talks at all show that they are in the running in some capacity.
Beyond that, the fact that Kean has supposedly held promising talks with Raiola is also something that should give supporters hope.
Gianluca Di Marzio is a very reputable source, and as far as rumours go, this one feels as if it could have substance and legs.