Everton appear to be finally closing in on a striker if reports are to be believed… 

What’s the word?

According to French publication L’Equipe, the Toffees seem to be close to agreeing on a deal for Stade Rennais striker Serhou Guirassy.

Frank Lampard has reportedly made the deal for the 26-year-old a priority following the long-term injury that Dominic Calvert-Lewin suffered last week.

Guirassy is noted as extremely receptive to the move, as they look to secure another coup from Ligue 1 after their capture of Amadou Onana earlier this week. It would mark their sixth foray into the market this summer.

He's better than Che Adams

It seems like real progress is being made on the striker front, and to finally find a successor to the injury-prone 25-year-old is huge news for Lampard’s hopes for the season.

However, Guirassy would surely be a better fit for the Toffees than Che Adams, who has also been linked recently with a move to Goodison Park.

The Scottish international only managed seven goals last season in the league, and standing at just 5 foot 9, he would struggle to compensate in the absence of the hulking figure of Calvert-Lewin.

The "powerful" Guinean however is just one inch smaller than the England international.

Also, whether fit or not, Calvert-Lewin would have a hard time displacing Guirassy if he can continue his form from Ligue 1 into the Premier League.

12 goals in all competitions last season marks him out as something of a marksman, but what will please the toffees more is his 37 league appearances.

A forward who can be reliable to play and a consistent threat will go a long way toward helping to propel Everton up the league table, especially after the departure of last season’s top scorer Richarlison.

Guirassy also ranked in the top 2% for non-penalty goals last season, compared to Adams, who ranked in the 45th percentile.

One is a constant threat for defenders, battling for knockdowns and opportunities to score, whilst the other is more of a second striker, feeding off those opportunities created. The latter would struggle as a lone striker, forced to deal with long balls and crosses as his main source of service.

Also winning 3.63 aerials per game, whilst still not even close to the unbelievable 6.80 of Calvert-Lewin, it is still a start on replacing his huge physical presence when he cannot play.

Guirassy is the natural successor and would deputise well during his injury spells. He would far outperform that of Adams, whilst finally seeing Everton start to dip into European markets more consistently to find their own hidden talents.