Everton preparing £17.6m January bid for 20-year-old international forward

Everton manager Frank Lampard will know how important the January transfer window could be for his side.

Sitting just inside the relegation zone, the Toffees face fellow strugglers Southampton and West Ham in their next two games.

Everton’s centre-forwards certainly haven’t hit the ground running this season.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has barely been able to stay fit this season, while new signing Neal Maupay has just one league goal.

Thomas Cannon has been handed his first-team debut this season, while Ellis Simms has been recalled from his loan spell at Sunderland.

Whether any of these players can score the necessary goals to keep Everton up is yet to be seen.

It’s therefore no surprise that Everton are interested in young Lorient forward Dango Ouattara.

Foot Mercato believe Everton have ‘already drawn an offer of €20m [£17.6m]’ for Ouattara.

The Burkina Faso international could be the key to the Toffees survival this season.

Everton interested in Ouattara

Ouattara’s current manager, Regis Le Bris, is a big fan of the young forward.

“He has the physical abilities needed for the very high level,” Le Bris said.

“His jump, his acceleration, his engine. He’s going to score headed goals too, you’ll see.

“He has what it takes to reach the highest level. It’s the mental aspect that will be decisive, but I have no doubts.

“He is a stable boy who has overcome the introverted side of his character which slowed him down a bit.”

Ouattara arrived at Lorient from Burkinabe club SC Majestic in the summer of 2020.

He didn’t make his league debut for more than 12 months, but has gone from strength to strength this campaign.

Ouattara already has five goals and five assists in Ligue 1 this season, more goal contributions than any Everton player this season.

At just 20 years old, Ouattara is an interesting prospect for Everton as he could be a forward they build their side around for years to come.

Ouattara is comfortable playing on either wing, or through the middle.

He could be the latest Ligue 1 recruit that could make the difference at Goodison Park.