Everton are in need of a reliable striker to replace Cenk Tosun and have turned to Jean-Kevin Augustin of RB Leipzig, according to the Sun.
They report that the Toffees have been quoted £38m for the 21-year-old hitman, but are looking into a couple of ways to offset the cost.
One is apparently to include Ademola Lookman – who spent the second half on loan with the German outfit – in the deal in a part swap which would bring the cost down.
Alternatively, Tosun, who only joined the club last January under Sam Allardyce, could reportedly be sold to raise up to £20m towards Augustin’s hefty price tag.
But just as Tosun was a major gamble that has so far not paid off, Augustin would be an even more expensive and risky gamble from Marco Silva.
It is understandable that the Portuguese manager is keen to get a reliable goalscorer in to ease the burden on Richarlison, but getting in such a young player, who would have to adapt to a new league, during the middle of the season would be a major risk.
That should make the Toffees think twice about throwing such big money at someone who is still so raw; Lookman is the same as but Silva has not yet learned to trust him.