With the protracted arrival of Andre Gomes now completed, Everton will be turning their transfer attention elsewhere.
Adding a striker to their squad is thought to be a priority, although there have been suggestions adding strength on the wings is also on their wish list.
The Blues have both Richarlison and Bernard and are happy with those two, but their strength in depth behind them is lacking. Theo Walcott endured a miserable season while Ademola Lookman failed to kick on from a successful loan spell at RB Leipzig.
That has seen them linked with several names, including a big money move for David Neres. However, if it is just a squad option, then Marcel Brands will likely look at someone cheaper.
That may be where Lucas Ocampos comes in. According to Le10Sport, Everton are interested in the Argentinian winger this year.
He enjoyed a relatively stable season with Marseille, scoring five and assisting 8 in 40 games, and that attracted interest from around Europe, according to the newspaper. Everton are named as one of the suitors, as are Sevilla.
More importantly, because of Marseille’s need to sell players to ensure they don’t fall foul of FFP, Ocampos could be available for as little as €15m this summer. That’s a fee, Le10Sport, citing La Provence, say could tempt the Ligue 1 club into a sale.
On the face of it, a move for Ocampos would make sense for Everton. At 24-years-old he’s the right age for Marcel Brands model, while that €15m would also be very agreeable.
His ability to play across the front three and his comfort with both feet, make him ideal for what the Toffees and Marco Silva need as well. Whether they’d consider him an upgrade on either Walcott or Lookman, though, is debatable, given the 12 goals and assists combined is the most he’s ever managed in a season.
