According to the website of Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Everton are set to launch a €25m (approximately £22.7m) bid for Fiorentina striker Nikola Kalinic.

Gianluca Di Marzio says that the Toffees are determined to bring the Croatia international to the Premier League this summer, but they face stiff competition from Serie A giants AC Milan who the 29-year-old would prefer to join.

The report would suggest that Ronald Koeman is still looking for a replacement for Romelu Lukaku following the Belgian’s exit to Manchester United, despite already signing Wayne Rooney and Sandro Ramirez.

Meanwhile, Islam Slimani endured a difficult first season in the English top flight with Leicester City, and he was an unused substitute for their opening day clash against Arsenal on Friday night.

Despite his struggles, he could potentially make more of an impact at Goodison Park than his fellow 29-year-old centre-forward.

Here are three reasons Slimani would be a better signing for Everton than Kalinic…

Goalscoring record

While Slimani was adjudged to have had a disappointing first season with Leicester City, the fact that he scored seven goals and provided a further four assists in 23 Premier League appearances would perhaps suggest otherwise.

Considering he also didn’t start every match he played in makes it even more impressive, and his record for previous club Sporting Lisbon and Algeria show what he has in the locker.

The 29-year-old scored 57 goals in 109 total appearances for Sporting while he has 26 in 52 caps for his country, and while Kalinic has been a key figure for Fiorentina in the last two campaigns, his record of 33 goals in 84 games doesn’t quite compare.

Aerial ability

Slimani looked to be ready-made for the Premier League when he joined Leicester last summer, mainly because of his ability in the air.

The 29-year-old perhaps suffered from the Foxes’ style of play in which they often look to play balls over the top or into the channels for the strikers, rather than crossing it into the penalty area.

The Algeria international won 49 of the 128 headed duels he faced in 23 Premier League appearances last season, but he has shown throughout his career how lethal he can be with his head in front of goal and that would perhaps suit Everton’s style of play, as it did with Lukaku.

Point to prove

If Slimani was allowed to leave to join another Premier League team this summer – Leicester are looking to recoup most of the £29m fee they paid to sign the Algerian last year – he will certainly have a point to prove.

The 29-year-old may not feel that he was given the opportunities he deserved last term and he would be determined to show the Foxes that he can have a big impact in the English top flight, which would only benefit Everton as they look to have an impressive campaign in both the Premier League and Europa League.

Do you agree, Toffees fans? Let us know below.