Everton are reportedly set to make a loan offer with an €18 million purchase option for RC Strasbourg’s towering striker Ludovic Ajorque.
Everton are reportedly increasingly confident of getting a deal over the line for Strasbourg star Ludovic Ajorque in the coming weeks. That is according to French outlet Foot Mercato, who claim the Toffees’ pursuit of the 28-year-old French striker has ‘gained momentum in recent hours’ after the Premier League outfit came ‘forward to find out the terms’ of a possible transfer.
Frank Lampard has welcomed Conor Coady and Amadou Onana to his squad recently, while Idrissa Gueye, who left Everton in 2019 for Paris Saint-Germain, is on the verge of re-joining the Toffees to offer depth to the team’s spine. However, Lampard is now keen to strengthen further up the pitch.
The Toffees have been in the market for a new striker since Richarlison joined Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer. Everton’s need for a new frontman was exacerbated by the fact that their primary striker, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, is expected to be sidelined for six weeks due to a knee injury.
A fortnight ago, reports claimed that Everton were among eight Premier League clubs who watched Strasbourg striker Ajorque play against Liverpool in the pre-season. And it appears the 28-year-old has done enough to impress the onlookers through his display, with the Merseyside club holding positive talks with the Ligue 1 side over an initial loan move to bring him to Goodison Park.
The imposing striker has been outstanding with his displays in France in the last few seasons. Ajorque has bagged 28 goals and 12 assists over the last two seasons in Ligue 1, with the French striker helping Strasbourg to a sixth-placed finish last term. His performances have attracted the attention of several English clubs, including Newcastle United and Crystal Palace. But Everton look to be his likeliest destination this summer.
Despite tying Ajorque down until the summer of 2024, Strasbourg are reportedly ready to cash in on the 28-year-old this summer and are locked in discussions with the Toffees. It is reported that a loan deal with an option to buy is an option being considered currently, with the fee to make the Everton move permanent understood to be in the ballpark of €18 million.
While Everton have yet to submit an opening bid for the French striker, the player could be tempted by the prospect of a Premier League move. And it seems like Ajorque would be an excellent signing for Everton if they could carve out a favoured deal from a financial perspective.
Ajorque would potentially tick a lot of the boxes when it comes to work-rate, build-up play, and aerial prowess. His tall and physical frame means he can be a focal point of the Toffees’ attack as well as create assists for his fellow forwards. He tends to dominate opposing defences and has a deceptive turn of speed.
But crucially, he has the ability and movement to find the back of the net regularly, which makes him a huge upgrade on current backup striker Salomon Rondon. Whether Everton can seal the deal for Ajorque in the coming days remains to be seen.
