Everton dealt blow in pursuit of 21-goal forward as Newcastle enter fray

Everton have been dealt a blow in their ongoing pursuit of Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres after the emergence of Newcastle United as suitors.

Gyokeres, 24, enjoyed a standout campaign for The Sky Blues, scoring 21 goals and finishing second to Chuba Akpom in the race for the Championship golden boot.

However, if the Toffees thought that a transfer for the striker was going to be a relatively simple affair after Coventry failed to secure promotion in the playoff final last month, they have been mistaken.

According to Record [3 June, page 12], the Magpies have entered the race to sign Gyokeres this summer, with the likes of West Ham, Crystal Palace and Sporting CP also interested.

It is thought that a fee of £11.2million will be enough for the Championship outfit to part ways with their star asset this summer, but considering the money which Eddie Howe will have on offer, it will be a tough ask to lure him to Goodison Park.

Sean Dyche’s need for a centre-forward to rival Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the starting jersey has been well-documented over the last couple of years, with Dwight McNeil, Demarai Gray and Abdoulaye Doucoure the only players to net over five goals last season, and Everton scoring a meagre 34 goals from 38 Premier League games.

The major problem that the Toffees face is the Champions League football that Newcastle will be able to offer Gyokeres, as well as what will likely be a far more lucrative wage package.

The transfer budget which Dyche will be working with this summer is still unclear, and the FFP issues that Farhad Moshiri has landed the club in will by no means help them in their chase of the Coventry forward.

With additions needed all over the pitch, how Everton spread out their funds is going to be crucial to their Premier League fate next season.

Unfortunately for Dyche, a cash-rich Newcastle side have entered the fray for their dream centre-forward transfer target.

The £11.2million price tag is likely to be well within Everton’s transfer budget, but the number of potential suitors, including the Magpies, could drive the price up and out of range.