How Everton could sign their new Lukaku this summer

Everton fans were dreaming of a return to European competition, but their hopes of crossing the Channel next season have come to nought.

David Moyes‘ side failed to kick on across the business months last year, and a seven-game winless run to conclude the campaign dragged them down into mid-table, away from the top-end finish that felt more than achieveable when Chelsea were beaten 3-0 at the Hill Dickinson in March.

That was a somewhat rare display of smooth attacking football. Too often did the Toffees fail to create enough chances in the Premier League last season, and that was the crux of their ultimate failure in earning a route into Europe.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. There was a lot to like about a more stable Everton last season, and if the Friedkin Group oversee the right signings – especially in attack – then Everton could be set for even further gains.

Everton set for direct talks with Champions League striker

Everton have left a lot to be desired in attack for what feels like an interminable stretch of time. Last year, Thierno Barry was signed from Villarreal for £27m. It was supposed to be the solution, but the raw and wasteful striker is being chased by RB Leipzig this summer.

If Leipzig come forward with an interesting proposal, cashing in might not be the worst thing in the world.

According to journalist David Schill, Everton are “set to hold direct talks” with the agent of Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane “this week”, hoping to gain an advantage on Arsenal in the race.

Kofane, only 19 years old, is already gaining plenty of attention, and while Arsenal and Newcastle United are both showing intense interest, the Blues are growing confident that they could pull off a statement signing.

His agent, Eric Depolo, claims that he’s “a £100m player“. This is obviously an unrealistic demand for Leverkusen to make, but it does outline the potential that Everton would be paying for, signing a striker who could develop into their finest since Romelu Lukaku.

Why Kofane can be Everton’s new Lukaku

Kofane is still a teenager, but he stormed onto the scene with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga last season, scoring five goals and assisting four more despite only starting 13 matches.

There is so much to like. Away from his potency in front of goal, the Cameroonian also completed 83% of his passes and 58% of his dribbles. These are just statistics, and should not be taken as gospel, but they do outline a command of his technicality and an ability to progress play forward that has already been polished at this early-career stage.

Kofane did miss 11 big chances, so there is work to be done in refining his shooting ability, but he’s got so much potential, his underlying data from the past year speaking of an attacker who likes to duel and influence play beyond that of goal contributions.

It would be quite something if he could leave a legacy on par with that of Lukaku at Everton – or even in the same ballpark. The Belgian is the club’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League, a terrifying attacking presence across those seasons. He left Everton for Manchester United in 2017 for an initial £75m fee.

Lukaku, for all his qualities, has never been the most accurate striker in the world. He’s still one of the most prominent names of his day, and Kofane could emulate him.

At Goodison Park, Lukaku was a force of nature, supremely powerful and never satiated in front of goal. He’s led a wandering career, enjoying the highs and suffering through the lows, but there’s no question that he proved a bona fide success at Everton, hailed as “one of the best strikers in the world” by Ronald Koeman.

Described as “one of the most exciting strikers in the world” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Kofane has the potential to develop into a Lukaku-esque forward for Moyes’ Everton, physical and fast and naturally prolific.

It should say a lot that Premier League champions Arsenal want to bring him to the Emirates. It should also say something of the project Moyes is building on Merseyside that Everton are growing confident that they can get a deal done.