Everton plot club-record deal for French striker

Everton boss Ronald Koeman is weighing up a club-record attempt to sign Celtic's Moussa Dembele as he prepares for the imminent departure of Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku snubbed a new long-term deal with Everton earlier in April with a view to pushing for a summer move to a much bigger club.

According to TalkSPORT, Dembele has been identified as the perfect fit to replace the Belgium international following a top season with Celtic where he amassed 32 goals across all competitions.

It is added that the Merseyside club could break their transfer record for the second time in a couple of weeks with Dembele likely to cost a sum in excess of £30m this summer.

Koeman has brought in the likes of Jordan Pickford and Davy Klaassen to his rank this summer, but there are potential question marks over the former's signing after the Dutchman spent a club-record fee on the goalkeeper.

Dembele, who joined Celtic for a mere £400,000 compensation from Fulham, has previously attracted interest from London trio Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.