Everton are ambitiously hoping to pip Real Madrid to the signing of Swedish starlet Alexander Isak, according toThe Daily Mail.
Madrid are believed to have already made a bid for the 17-year-old, currently at AIK Athens, but their £9million offer was rebuffed, with the club only prepared to sell for a Swedish record £14million.
However, Isak is an enticing prospect for Everton despite the price-tag, with Ronald Koeman in the market for attacking reinforcements to support Romelu Lukaku up front. The Toffees boss is also reportedly interested in out-of-favour Manchester United winger Memphis Depay and is said to be exploring the option of bringing the Dutchman to Goodison Park in January.
Everton looking to pip Real Madrid to the signing of Alexander Isak but will need to cough up £14m to seal the deal https://t.co/KeBcTGKhT7 pic.twitter.com/PTBqsE5D6G
Isak is an excellent long-term option for Everton and although a move to Real Madrid may seem more attractive on the surface, the Merseyside club are in a better position to offer regular first-team football, a factor which the deal may well hinge on.
Madrid also have pending transfer sanctions looming over the club, which would put a potential deal for Isak on hold. Isak has already amassed an impressive record, scoring 10 goals in his first 24 senior appearances, with ESPN writer Michael Yokhin boldly claiming he is the heir to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's throne.
Koeman confirmed he would seek to boost his attacking options after Yannick Bolasie's season-ending cruciate ligament injury.
#MUFC transfer rumours: 'Everton in talks over deals for Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay'https://t.co/nnbTzbY2e2
"We know we need competition for places and a big squad. It's a big month coming up with a lot of games and we need everybody at a good level," he said.
"We are still looking for some good options and maybe it is more necessary now than it was before because we have lost Yannick for a long time.
"I don't speak about players or about rumours. We know January is coming up and every day there is a lot of speculation. We need to do our work.'
Real Madrid are reportedly leading the chase for "the new Zlatan Ibrahimovic" - AIK Solna forward Alexander Isak. https://t.co/I6Q8KR1YaO pic.twitter.com/6egGJYVFov