- Ipswich have opened formal talks for Levante striker Karl Etta Eyong
- Everton have registered an enquiry but remain behind in the race
- The chase comes as Everton weigh up Thierno Barry’s future
Everton have made an official enquiry for Levante forward Karl Etta Eyong, but Ipswich Town remain the club furthest down the road in talks, leaving Moyes’ side needing to move quickly if they want to get involved.
According to TEAMtalk, Ipswich have opened formal club-to-club discussions over the 22-year-old Cameroon international and regard him as their primary striker target ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Those talks are said to be progressing positively, even if still in the early stages.
Everton’s enquiry is understood to be at a much earlier stage, though sources have indicated it would be unwise to rule them out, with Eyong himself reportedly open to exploring a move to the the Hill Dickinson should Everton press on.
Why Eyong fits the brief
Eyong has emerged as one of the more sought-after forwards in Europe this summer following a good season in Spain. He joined Levante from Villarreal for around €3 million last September and went on to score six goals in 30 La Liga appearances, with his physicality and technique drawing comparisons to Didier Drogba.
Levante are reportedly seeking around €30 million (£26m) for the forward, who has already turned down an offer from CSKA Moscow in January in favour of holding out for a move to the Premier League.
Tottenham have also been mentioned as possible suitors, but only if their pursuits of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali fall through.
Crystal Palace’s name has come up, too, but their priority remains Celtic’s, Arne Engels. Of the interested parties, Ipswich and Everton appear to be the two clubs most serious.
The wider picture at Finch Farm
Everton’s interest comes against the backdrop of growing doubts over Thierno Barry, who managed eight goals in 41 appearances following his £27.6m move last summer and is reportedly someone the club would now consider offers for, with RB Leipzig reportedly interested.
Talks also continue over a permanent deal for Tyrique George, who impressed on loan last season, though a fee is yet to be agreed, and nothing more needs saying re the Jack Grealish saga.
That leaves Everton with a clear need up front and a player in Eyong who, by most reports, would be receptive to joining them.
The question is whether that translates into the pace required to beat a newly-promoted Ipswich side to the signature.
Evertonians may not be happy
Quite where this leaves Everton if they miss out on a player they and Ipswich Town are both competing for remains to be seen. It could simply be that Etta Eyong is higher up Ipswich’s list of priorities.
But the stated ambitions of both clubs are clearly different – survival vs top 6/10 – and this would tie in uncomfortably with Moyes’ comments to talkSPORT’s Jim White regarding the club looking to match the successes of Bournemouth and Brentford.
It’s still early in the transfer window, but Evertonians are yet to be convinced that TFG means business in the way originally stated.
