The January transfer window is set to close on Monday of next week, leaving Everton with limited time to strengthen their squad.
David Moyes returned to Goodison Park for a second spell earlier this month, replacing Sean Dyche in the dugout, but has yet to make his first signing.
Despite this, the Scottish manager has made a strong start back on Merseyside, securing wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion in his first three matches.
Everton are still looking to add more quality to the squad, despite their recent impressive results, and Southampton full-back Kyle Walker-Peters is reportedly one of their targets.
The Toffees have also been linked with Brighton & Hove Albion’s young talent Evan Ferguson to bolster their attacking options.
However, Ferguson is not the only forward on Everton’s radar, as the club is reportedly close to sealing a deal for a new attacker who could replace Abdoulaye Doucoure in the number 10 role…
Abdoulaye Doucoure’s form this season
The Mali international has been a regular starter for Everton this season, featuring in 19 of their 20 Premier League matches, but he has struggled to make an impact in the final third.
Doucoure has primarily played as an attacking midfielder this term, yet he has failed to register a single goal, ‘big chance’ created, or assist in the Premier League.
The former Watford player, who scored seven goals in 32 league matches last season, has not provided enough attacking threat to be a key figure for Everton.
Only Southampton (16) have scored fewer goals than Everton (19) in the league this season, highlighting the need for more quality in their attacking lineup.
24/25 Premier League
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Appearances: 20
Goals: 0
Big chances created: 0
Assists: 0
Error led to goal: 1
Duel success rate: 39%
Stats via Sofascore
As shown in the table above, Doucoure has directly contributed more to the opposition (one error leading to a goal) than to his own team (zero goals or assists) and has struggled in physical duels, losing the majority of them.
This is why Everton should be looking to sign a player capable of offering more creativity and threat in the final third, particularly as a second striker behind a central forward.
Everton closing in on Doucoure upgrade
According to Italian outlet Tuttosport, Everton are on the verge of signing Hamza Igamane on a permanent deal from Scottish giants Rangers.
The report claims that the Premier League side are aiming to finalize the deal for the Morocco U23 international before the transfer window closes next week.
It suggests that Everton have identified Igamane as the ideal replacement for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who suffered a hamstring injury against Brighton in their last match, and are now pushing to complete the transfer.
Tuttosport also mentions that Everton are willing to part ways with Portuguese striker Beto, with Serie A side Torino reportedly ready to offer £15m to bring him back to Italy.
Meanwhile, TEAMtalk reported earlier this week that Rangers would demand a fee of £25m or more to sell Igamane this month, as the Scottish Premiership club are reluctant to lose him mid-season.
While Tuttosport does not specify the fee Everton would pay for Igamane, the potential £15m from Beto’s sale could help fund the deal for the Rangers forward.
Although the report suggests Igamane could replace Calvert-Lewin as a central striker, he might be better suited to taking Doucoure’s place in the number 10 or second striker role.
Why Hamza Igamane is way better than Abdoulaye Doucoure
Igamane has primarily played as a centre-forward but has also featured as an attacking midfielder and winger, making him comfortable operating behind a striker.
The 22-year-old has been described as “fearless” and likened to “Morgan Rogers,” who plays as a second striker for Aston Villa, by analyst Ben Mattinson, highlighting his suitability for a deeper role.
While he may lack the physicality to lead the line as a sole striker in the Premier League, his performances for Rangers in the Premiership and Europa League this season suggest he has the technical ability to offer far more than Doucoure in an attacking midfield role.
Igamane is a dynamic, powerful runner with the technical quality to contribute both as a scorer and a creator of goals.
Hamza Igamane (24/25)
Premiership | Europa League
Starts: 13 | 3
Goals: 9 | 4
Big chances created: 5 | 1
Key passes per game: 1.1 | 1.4
Assists: 1 | 1
Stats via Sofascore
As shown in the table above, the Rangers star has scored 13 goals and created six ‘big chances’ in just 16 starts across the Premiership and Europa League combined.
These statistics demonstrate his consistent impact in the final third, whereas Doucoure has offered almost nothing in attack for Everton this season.
Therefore, Igamane would be a significant upgrade over the Mali international, even if he only replicated half of his Rangers form in the Premier League, making him an excellent potential signing for Moyes.
