The mid-season transfer window is nearing, and clubs are beginning to make initial moves to strengthen their squads for the second half of the campaign.
Dominating Everton transfer news, the Premier League have been linked with a move for Brazil international Vitor Roque, as they look to add striker depth to their squad.
David Moyes' side failed to sign a striker in the summer in an almost comical manner, despite losing starting striker Beto to Fiorentina.
They are prepared to rectify the situation by signing one in January, and their scouts have set sights on Roque.
Everton keen on former Barcelona man
According to journalist Diego Firmino (via Sport), Everton are interested in signing Vitor Roque in January 2027.
Palmeiras are open to letting him leave, but will only sell the striker for at least £42 million in the winter window.
They spent around half that amount to sign him from Barcelona last year, and wish to recoup their investment and make a profit on the highly-rated 21-year-old.
Roque played 16 times for Barcelona under the tutelage of Xavi, scoring two goals for the Spanish giants before leaving the club after failing to impress Hansi Flick.
He rediscovered his best form back in Palmeiras, netting 20 goals across all competitions in his first season back in Brazil.
So far this season, the goals have slowed down, as he has found the net just nine times, but his age and the quality he has shown make him an attractive target for the Premier League side.
Roque has also been monitored by a number of other sides in England, including Chelsea and Manchester United, among others.
Palmeiras have all of the leverage in this negotiation, as Roque remains under contract until December 2029, giving them ample time to set their demands to any prospective suitors.
Moyes eyeing striker after Balogun debacle
Veteran tactician Moyes is eager for his club to bring in a new striker after they failed to bring in any reinforcements in the position in the summer.
The Toffees tried unsuccessfully to sign Richarlison from Tottenham Hotspur before pivoting to AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun by deadline day.
A fee was agreed for the former Arsenal man, and he travelled to the Toffees' Finch Farm base to undergo a medical.
Following the conclusion of the medical tests, the club identified some irregularities in his results and decided to halt proceedings with the striker.
A U-turn soon followed, and the deal was back on with minutes left in the window, only for Balogun himself to pull out of talks at the eleventh hour, leaving the club with Thierno Barry as their only senior striker for the first half of the season.
Barry has already scored seven times in 11 outings this season, but the lack of depth in his position has been evident since the beginning of the campaign, necessitating the signing of cover in January.
