BBC journalist claims Everton are in running to sign Troyes winger Mama Balde

Everton are one of three Premier League teams interested in signing Troyes winger Mama Balde, according to Mike Minay.

The BBC journalist reported on his Twitter page on Friday [August 18] that Everton face competition from promoted pair Burnley and Sheffield United.

Minay added that a deal could be worth around €8million (£6.8m) for the 27-year-old, who scored 12 goals in 34 games for Troyes in Ligue 1 last season.

Bargain fee

Everton are in the market for at least one new attacker with two weeks of the transfer window to go, having seen their goalscoring problems from last season continue into this one in last week’s 1-0 loss to Fulham.

A £12m bid has been lodged for Southampton’s Che Adams [Sky Sports], while Youssef Chermiti arrived from Sporting CP last week for close to £13m.

It also remains to be seen if the Merseyside outfit will officially go back in for Leeds United’s Willy Gnonto, having had four previous bids knocked back [Sky Sports].

But it may well be that Sean Dyche is financially backed to bring in another attacker, which would go a long way to resolving the biggest issue plaguing his side.

Balde directly contributed to 15 goals in the French top flight last season, including a brace in last October’s 4-3 thriller with Paris Saint-Germain.

The Guinea-Bissau international also ranked in the top 20% of all forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last season for dribbles attempted [The Analyst].

Available for potentially a bargain price, it is obvious why a trio of Premier League clubs are in the hunt for Balde.

Having scored at least five goals more than any Everton player last season, Balde could provide the final third spark the Toffees desperately crave.

In other Everton news, Southampton manager Russell Martin has provided an update on Everton-linked Adams’ future.