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According to the Daily Mail, Everton are checking on Lille striker Rafael Leao, who they are reportedly looking to sign in the summer as Marcel Brands looks to build a team that 'can move forward'.

What's the word, then?

Well, the Portugal Under-21 striker only joined Lille back in the summer on a free transfer after his departure from Sporting Lisbon, which came following a training ground invasion which saw some players assaulted.

Since his arrival in France, Leao has performed admirably, showing the form which caught the attention of Manchester City before he opted to move to Ligue 1 in hope of more first-team football - the 19-year-old has hit seven goals and recorded two assists in 15 league starts.

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Leao is a direct, pacy forward who can play on the left or in the centre, and is a player that Lille reportedly don't want to lose, despite being braced for offers - the teenager has four years remaining on his contract.

Everton moving in the right direction

Marco Silva and Brands are moving in the right direction with their work in the transfer market.

Following their capture of Richarlison, the Toffees are snapping up just the right kind of player - young, hungry footballers whose values will only increase as they get older.

This has been proven by AC Milan's interest in Richarlison, with Everton wanting around £60m for their 21-year-old Brazilian, a fee which could easily be met by one of Europe's giants.

Leao is a dynamic, young forward who looks to have bags of potential, highlighted by Manchester City's interest in him, as aforesaid.

Along with the signings of Jordan Pickford, Lucas Digne and Bernard, Brands is certainly identifying, and signing, the correct profile of player, and moving away from the scatter-gun approach of old which saw names such as Davy Klaassen, Theo Walcott and Morgan Schneiderlin arrive.