Everton have already signed one striker this week, and they now could be set to add another…

 What’s the word?

According to transfer insider Dean Jones, the Toffees are getting close to finalising a deal for a reported target in Ben Brereton Diaz.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he claimed: “Everton are closing in on Brereton Diaz, which would be significant given the interest in him this summer.

“I’m hearing we are looking at a deal worth a guaranteed £17.5m and then add ons would take it beyond £20m. Lampard wants up to three new forwards before the deadline.”

Could be Lampard’s best signing

With a deal for Neal Maupay completed on Friday, it gives Frank Lampard some added freedom with his next striker purchase, as he can take a risk on someone without Premier League experience.

He should duly look no further than the Championship, where Brereton Diaz earned huge praise last season for his fine goalscoring performances.

The Chile forward was instrumental in Blackburn Rovers’ unlikely play-off push, which was derailed as soon as he got injured. He still managed to net 22 goals in just 37 appearances, also chipping in with three assists.

Although Maupay could likely guarantee at least eight goals a season, a return that he has managed or exceeded in each of his Brighton and Hove Albion, the unknown potential of this Brereton Diaz deal is an exciting thought.

Not only was he prolific last term, but his new international coach Eduardo Berizzo also had plenty to commend about the striker, saying: “Brereton is very intelligent in his movement and found himself behind rival defenders several times.”

Berizzo continued: “He is a footballer with many qualities… He is a player of interesting movements. He will be an important reference for us.”

Whilst Everton’s new French forward can link up the play with his 78% pass completion rate, Brereton Diaz’s goal-poaching instinct could see him benefit from the wicked deliveries of another summer addition in Dwight McNeil, who averaged 1.3 key passes per game last season.

If the Chile star can replicate his Blackburn goalscoring feats for the Toffees, for just £20m he could quickly become Lampard’s best signing to date at Goodison Park. He appears to have all the ability to thrive in the Premier League; he just needs someone to take a punt on him.