Everton have turned their attention to Sporting Lisbon striker Bas Dost.
Dost is reportedly set to be in demand from a host of Premier League clubs with West Brom and Stoke City credited with interest in the Holland international.
But the Blues are now expected to join the hunt for the prolific marksman.
According to ESPN, Ronald Koeman is monitoring his compatriot on the back of scoring an impressive 34 goals in 30 domestic starts for Sporting last season.
Everton’s director of football Steve Walsh observed the 28-year-old during the Portuguese side’s Champions League defeat to Barcelona last month.
Koeman is said to have identified Dost as Romelu Lukaku’s eventual successor, having failed to land either Olivier Giroud or Christian Benteke last summer.
Earlier this week Giroud admitted that he was ‘very close’ to moving to Goodison Park but instead chose to ultimately remain with Arsenal.
Everton would have to break their transfer record for a third time in 12 months should they land Dost in January, with his release clause set at £50 million.
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