Everton have been linked with a number of forwards ahead of the January transfer window, and a new potential target has been revealed.

What’s the latest?

According to Daily Mail+ (via Goodison News), the Toffees remain interested in signing Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson.

As per the report, the Merseyside club are joined in their interest by Newcastle United and Bournemouth, and it is claimed that the player has a £27m release clause.

Forget Rondon

Everton are severely lacking that final bite in front of goal this season, which has led to them falling into trouble yet again in the Premier League.

After scoring the second-fewest goals across their first 15 outings in the top flight, the Toffees are yet again teetering on the edge of the relegation zone in 17th, just one point clear of the bottom three.

As a result, Frank Lampard will surely be keen to bolster and improve the forward line when the transfer window reopens next month, and it is looking like Jackson could be a prime target for the manager.

The 21-year-old forward - who was hailed as “different” by former Villareal manager Unai Emery for his versatility - has only recently started to get regular first-team football in La Liga, but he has proven this season that he is a hot prospect in the final third.

Across 13 league appearances, Jackson has scored two goals, delivered two assists and created four big chances, along with taking 1.2 shots on goal and winning 2.2 duels per game.

The Senegalese striker has been earning plenty of praise over his short career so far, with Senegal U20 coach Youssouph Dabo complimenting the young talent’s style of play, saying: “He is a good profile with technical qualities who also tends to put on a show.”

It was revealed last night that Salomon Rondon has been released from his contract at Goodison Park by mutual consent, so now there is surely an opportunity to add a more youthful and fresh perspective in the centre-forward position.

Jackson's Sofascore rating of 6.74 so far this season far outstrips the 6.55 that Rondon managed on Merseyside prior to his exit, which suggests that the youngster would be a significant upgrade on the much-maligned Venezuelan.

With that in mind, signing Jackson would be a great piece of business for Everton ahead of the second half of the season, and considering that his output already displayed the £27m release clause, it would be a reasonable price to pay.