Home Premier League Everton Everton and Southampton linked with impressive striker, could be game-changer
Everton and Southampton linked with impressive striker, could be game-changer
Kevin Harper
Premier League duo Southampton and Everton are set to join West Ham United in the race to sign Porto striker Moussa Marega, according to the Daily Mirror.
The Saints were one of the lowest scorers in the Premier League last term, and having lost one player with goals in him in the form of Dusan Tadic, it is no surprise that Mark Hughes is looking at the Mali international as a potential replacement.
Everton are also looking for someone who can find the back of the net from central positions with only Cenk Tosun and Dominic Calvert-Lewin certain to be at Goodison Park next season. Wayne Rooney has already departed, and there is regular talk that Oumar Niasse could leave Merseyside too.
Marega was the leading scorer for Porto when they won the Portuguese league for the first time in five years last term. He struck 23 times in a successful campaign both personally and for his club, and it was that sort of form which has alerted him to the Premier League trio.
As well as starring on the domestic scene in Portugal, the striker has also been featuring for his country Mali, and is now set for a big move to the English top flight.
West Ham were said to be favourites to sign the 27-year-old with Cheikhou Kouyate said to be used in a swap deal, but the midfielder joined Crystal Palace on Wednesday, which may have opened the door for their rivals to step in and snatch him.
Marega will be no stranger to Marco Silva or Everton fans after he scored the only goal of the game in a pre-season friendly against the Toffees recently. It may have been that performance which generated the Merseysiders' interest in him.
Whoever ends up getting the Mali international, you get the impression they will have to work very hard to get the deal over the line in their favour.
Moussa Marega
St Mary's Stadium
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Freelance writer and avid Luton Town fan. I regularly travel up and down the country watching football and cricket.