The race for Almeria’s highly-rated striker, El Bilal Toure, has intensified, with both Everton and Atalanta now vying for his signature. That’s according to Fabrizio Romano who has revealed this week that negotiations are heating up and the two clubs are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of the £35 million-rated forward.
Everton Are Pushing to Sign Almeria Striker, El Bilal Toure
Toffees Looking to Add Attacking Reinforcements
Atalanta are pushing to sign El Bilal Touré from Almeria, revealed as top target one month ago. Negotiations are ongoing but Everton interest remains. ✨🇲🇱
Atalanta want Touré as priority but new striker has to join ASAP in any case because Man Utd will bid fro Højlund soon. pic.twitter.com/RzYX1Ocy2X
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 23, 2023
Romano revealed that Everton are “still pushing” to sign the striker but that Atalanta “are on it too”, highlighting the competition between the two clubs for the 21-year-old striker. Both Everton and Atalanta clearly recognise Toure’s potential and are keen to bolster their attacking options with his addition.
Read More: New Signings Worth £36.5m: How Everton Could Line Up for Next Season
Negotiations between Almeria and both potential suitors are expected to continue with Romano outlining that “negotiations will continue next week to get it done”. The race for Toure’s signature is at a crucial stage, and the outcome still seems in jeopardy.
Interestingly, Almeria are already preparing for Toure’s potential departure, as Romano disclosed, “Almería has opened talks to sign Ibrahima Kone as a new striker, he’s a strong option on the list. Almería wants Kone as a replacement for El Bilal Toure.” This clearly indicates that the Spanish club is actively planning for the striker’s move and seeking a suitable alternative with him all but confirmed to leave.
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Atalanta and Everton Set to Battle for Malian Striker
For Everton, securing El Bilal Toure would significantly bolster their attacking options, providing more depth and firepower to their frontline after a disappointing season in front of goal last season. However, Atalanta’s strong interest adds an intriguing dimension to the transfer saga, as the Italian club sees Toure as a “priority” signing, according to Romano. The Bergamo-based side is eager to reinforce their squad ahead of the upcoming season and views Toure as a valuable addition to their ranks, especially with Rasmus Hojlund seemingly on his way out.
Read More: Manchester United Receive Transfer Boost in Pursuit of £61M Star
Adding further urgency to the situation, Romano stated, “New striker has to join ASAP in any case because Man Utd will bid for Hojlund soon.” The potential departure of Hojlund from to Manchester United could further accelerate Atalanta’s pursuit of El Bilal Toure, as they seek to bolster their attacking options as quickly as possible.
Featured image: Graham Hogg. CC BY-SA 2.0
