Everton are reportedly in line to make a surprise approach for Villarreal starlet Nicolas Jackson, with the Toffees in desperate need of attacking reinforcements.

What's the word?

According to Football Insider, the Merseyside outfit are believed to have 'set their sights on the 21-year-old this summer, with the player available for £27m owing to a release clause in his current deal.

The Senegalese forward - who can play all across the front line - is also said to be attracting the interest of fellow Premier League sides Fulham and Southampton, as per the report.

As for the Goodison outfit, the club are in need of new additions following the departure of talisman Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur, while first-choice marksman Dominic Calvert-Lewin is currently sidelined with injury.

Solves Lampard's problem

Adding a new centre-forward has then become a necessity with a just few weeks left until the transfer window closes, with manager Frank Lampard currently forced to deploy young Anthony Gordon in a makeshift role through the middle.

With only Salomon Rondon in reserve, the 21-year-old has had to assume that central berth in the early weeks of the season, although it is seemingly not a long-term, viable option moving forward - particularly with Newcastle United believed to be interested in the forward.

That fact has only enhanced the need to dip into the market, with Jackson potentially an attainable figure who would provide an exciting option to Lampard's squad, without having to really break the bank.

The £900k-rated menace may have only made nine first-team appearances for his current side thus far since joining back in 2019, although he has started the new season in fine fettle, scoring in the recent 3-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in what was his first ever La Liga start.

Likened to Brazilian icon Neymar in his homeland, the youngster also has an impressive record for the Spanish side's B team, having recorded 13 goal contributions in just 26 appearances thus far.

Labelled "imposing" by journalist David Timon, the one-time Mirandes loanee appears to have a bright future ahead of him, with Lampard set to be desperate to be in charge of his development over the next few years.

Managing to get the highly-rated talent through the door could well be the answer to the 44-year-old's attacking problem.