According to reports in the Daily Mail, Everton are among a number of clubs interested in signing £20m-rated Lille defender Adama Soumaoro during the January transfer window.

What's the word, then?

Well, the Daily Mail says that the Toffees, along with Premier League rivals West Ham United, Monaco, Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund are all keen on the versatile 25-year-old, who can play anywhere across the backline.

The Daily Mail says that Lille have been told they must raise £23m by the financial policing arm of Ligue 1, or they could face a ban on January signings or even relegation.

The report adds that the French outfit rate Soumaoro – whose contract runs out in 2021 – at around £20m, and they could choose to sell him to try and erase their money troubles.

How has Soumaoro done this season?

Having been suffering from an Achilles injury earlier in the campaign, the 25-year-old has only recently returned to action.

The Frenchman has started Lille's last four matches at the heart of the backline however, including the 3-1 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain last weekend.

According to Squawka, in those four appearances the centre-back has won seven of the nine aerial duels he has faced, while he has also made 13 clearances and seven blocks.

His passing accuracy of 91% is particularly impressive, and shows that he is comfortable in possession as well as being a good defender.

Last season Soumaoro made 160 clearances and had a passing accuracy of 92% in 34 Ligue 1 outings, while he showed his ability to bring the ball out of defence and beat opponents by successfully completing 20 of the 21 take-ons he attempted.

Would he be a good signing for Everton?

He certainly would be.

While the 25-year-old is still coming back to full fitness following injury, his statistics from both a defensive point of view and his ability in possession of the ball suggest that he would quickly adapt to life in the Premier League.

£20m certainly isn't too much in this day and age for a 25-year-old centre-back, and Sam Allardyce should look to win the race for the defender in order to strengthen his backline.

[ad_pod ]