Managerless Everton are reportedly eyeing a move for Bologna star, Marko Arnautovic, with the struggling Toffees continuing their search for a new centre-forward.

What's the word?

According to the Telegraph's Sam Wallace, the Merseysiders could well turn to the 33-year-old as an 'emergency' option before the end of the window, with the relegation-threatened side in desperate need of further firepower to help stave off the drop.

The report suggests that the potential loss of academy graduate Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United could fund a move for the Austrian international, with the former West Ham United man set to demand a two-year deal if he is to make a return to England.

As the piece also outlines, the Goodison Park outfit were dealt a significant blow earlier this week after seeing their move for Netherlands international, Arnaut Danjuma hijacked by Tottenham Hotspur, with that ensuring that alternative attacking targets will now have to be pursued.

Forget Danjuma

Having seemingly had the Danjuma deal done and dusted, it will be a real source of frustration for the Toffees to have seen the 25-year-old opt to move elsewhere, with the club now seemingly back to square one with the end of the window fast approaching.

With the former Bournemouth man - who has six goals to his name in all competitions this season for parent club Villarreal - having now linked up with Antonio Conte and co, it is imperative that Everton look elsewhere to aid their survival bid for the second half of the campaign.

They could well find an ideal alternative in the form of Arnautovic, with the "maverick" talent, as described by former Stoke City boss Mark Hughes, having been in ferocious form in Italy this term.

The £59k-per-week menace has scored eight goals in just 14 Serie A games in the current campaign to date, after previously supplying 14 goals in 33 top-flight games during the 2021/22 season.

While the 106-cap monster has no doubt been something of a controversial figure in the past - having previously endured a somewhat acrimonious end to his time at the London Stadium - Arnautovic has proven himself "unplayable" at times, according to Hughes, with such an addition likely to be the prolific presence that the Toffees are craving.

Equally, unlike Danjuma - who failed to provide a goal or an assist in 14 Premier League games during his stint with the Cherries - the Bologna marksman has previously thrived in the top tier of English football, with 43 goals and 33 assists in 184 league games in total across his spells with both Stoke and West Ham.

Although supporters may well be keen to see a more youthful, long-term fit arrive through the door this month, the left-field signing of Arnautovic could prove the ideal solution to help reverse the current slump at Goodison.