Everton have been linked with a move for Inter forward Alexis Sanchez as they look to sign a replacement for the departed James Rodriguez.

What's the story?

According to InterLive.it (as relayed by the Liverpool ECHO), the Toffees are interested in signing the highly-rated 32-year-old in the January window, with Rafa Benitez keen to add further attacking reinforcements to his first-team squad.

The report states that Sanchez is becoming frustrated with his lack of opportunities under new manager Simone Inzaghi and Everton could offer a potential swap deal for the versatile forward's signature.

It's claimed that the Premier League outfit would be willing to offer unwanted striker Cenk Tosun in the opposite direction to sweeten the deal, but that the Nerazzurri are only interested in a cash deal for the South American's services.

Everton could replace Rodriguez

After former Real Madrid playmaker Rodriguez departed Goodison Park over the summer, Benitez was left extremely lightweight in the final third of the pitch.

Injuries to the likes of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have exposed the Spaniard's threadbare forward line, with back-to-back defeats now increasing the pressure for director of football Marcel Brands to address the issue in the winter transfer window.

Therefore, Sanchez's apparent availability could be the ideal solution to Everton's current issues and the player's own concerns over his game time.

During his three-and-a-half-year stay at Arsenal, the Chile international bagged 80 goals and provided 45 assists in 166 appearances for the Gunners, winning the FA Cup twice along the way as he became one of English football's most revered stars.

His outstanding performances at the Emirates Stadium caught the eye of several impressed onlookers, including Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

“He is a player that can play in several positions: left, right, central. He is a fighter with character and spirit, and he is a winner,” said Guardiola back in 2016. “He is a class, class player, but now I think he is playing really well. With Chile he has won two South American cups, that shows what a good player he is.”

But things have not quite worked out for Sanchez since leaving north London. Spells at Manchester United and Inter have failed to bring out the best in the £4.5m-rated beast, but Merseyside could be the ideal destination to revive his career.

And, in other news...Forget Pickford: Everton liability who lost 73% of his duels let Rafa down v Watford