Everton are aiming to secure the services of Lazio striker Valentine Castellanos ahead of Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Wolves.
David Moyes, in his first summer at the Toffees, is eyeing reinforcements in the final third to give his side the best shot of finishing in the top half next season.
The Merseyside outfit comfortably avoided relegation when he replaced Sean Dyche, but the bar will be higher for next term.
Nottingham Forest ready bid up to £29.3m for Castellanos teammate
According to Il Messaggero on 22 May, Nottingham Forest are willing to prepare a bid of up to £29.3million for Mattia Zaccagni, a teammate of the Argentina international.
It’s understood that despite being interested in Zaccagni, they are willing to offer competition to secure the services of Castellanos.
Along with Forest and the Toffees, West Ham and Wolves are also keen on signing the 26-year-old striker this summer.
It’s unclear how much he would cost, but Lazio are not expected to let him go on the cheap as his contract expires in 2028.
This season, the forward has bagged 10 goals and five assists in 28 league games.
Everton would benefit a great deal from signing Castellanos
Castellanos would be an excellent signing for Everton due to his proven goal-scoring ability and physical attributes, which align with Moyes’ tactical approach.
The 26-year-old, compared to Didier Drogba, has scored 14 goals and provided eight assists in 38 appearances for Lazio this season, showcasing his intelligence and finishing skills.
His physicality and technical ability make him ideal for the Premier League’s demands, particularly Everton’s need for a reliable number nine, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto have struggled for goals consistently.
Moyes, known for leveraging players’ strengths, can maximise Castellanos’ impact by deploying him as a target man in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, utilising early long balls to exploit his aerial prowess and hold-up play, as seen with Beto.
Encouraging wingers like Iliman Ndiaye to invert and supply crosses will create scoring opportunities, while Moyes’ emphasis on positive, attacking training sessions can boost Castellanos’ confidence, ensuring he thrives in Everton’s evolving, direct style.
