Everton are reportedly considering a swoop for Cagliari striker Giovanni Simeone, who is impressing away on loan at Hellas Verona.
According to a report from Spanish publication Fichajes, Everton are interested in raiding Serie A outfit Cagliari for the signing of Giovanni Simeone, who is currently away on loan at Hellas Verona, to bolster their attacking unit.
The striker, son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, arrived in Europe in 2016, signing for Genoa from Argentine giants River Plate. After spending a year with Il Grifone, he signed for Fiorentina but never hit the heights expected, scoring just 22 goals in 80 matches.
Simeone signed for Cagliari in 2019, initially on loan, before the transfer was made permanent last year. The Argentine centre-forward newer got going with Gli Isolani either, managing a poor return of just 18 goals in 72 matches. As a result, he was loaned out to Hellas Verona this past summer, and he has turned things around spectacularly this season.
So far in his spell with Hellas Verona, the 26-year-old has accumulated 11 goals, and three assists from 15 Serie A matches. Simeone is currently the second-highest goalscorer in the Italian top-flight, with only Dusan Vlahovic and Ciro Immobile (both 13) outscoring him. Naturally, his performances have led to interest from clubs ahead of the January transfer window.
West Ham United have been linked with a move for Simeone, while there have been murmurs of interest from Newcastle United as well. Now, Everton, too, have entered the fray for the signing of the 26-year-old Argentine.
The Toffees have had a rough time over the past couple of months with their star striker, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, sidelined with an injury. Summer signing Salomon Rondon has proven ineffective so far, while Cenk Tosun does not feature in the plans of manager Rafael Benitez.
With the team under intense pressure to turn things around, Everton will need to bring in a new goalscorer in January to support Calvert-Lewin and fill in during his absence. Simeone, to that end, has now emerged as a target for the Merseyside outfit.
Even though he is currently on loan at Hellas Verona, parent club Cagliari are open to the prospect of cashing in on him and have already set an asking price of €10 million. However, any move will be complicated as Verona, too, have an option of making his signing permanent for a predetermined fee. So, it will be interesting to see whether Everton are successful in their pursuit of Simeone or are forced to look elsewhere.
