Everton ‘in the sprint’ for player – ‘Could eventually win’, release clause expires tomorrow night

Everton are ‘in the sprint’ for Salernitana forward Boulaye Dia with his €25m release clause set to expire tomorrow at midnight.

That’s according to Corriere dello Sport, who say that more and more ‘insistent’ rumours from England suggest that the Toffees are ready to move for the player.

The newspaper explains that while the likes of AC Milan and Fiorentina have been keen on the forward in recent months, it is Everton who ‘could eventually win’ the race for him.

They don’t have the resources to match the €25m release clause at this moment in time but they have ‘long been on the trail’ of the player and have an advantage over the competition.

That is the fact that Salernitana ‘really like’ Everton’s Neal Maupay, who has been in their sights since last summer before he moved to Goodison Park.

It means there is a potential deal there to be done involving both players, although if Dia’s release clause is not exercised then that would open up an auction.

In that scenario Salernitana would value the striker at €40m, which is even less attainable for Everton than his €25m release clause.

The obvious answer is that Everton make their move before tomorrow night’s deadline, perhaps offering Maupay up as something of a bargaining chip to lower the price to something more affordable.

Whether that will suit Salernitana remains to be seen but it appears today and tomorrow will be key as Dia’s release clause gets closer to expiring.