Everton lines up Dembele as alternative to Akpom

Everton have lined up Moussa Dembele as alternative should they miss out on signing Chuba Akpom.

The Toffees are keen to sign Akpom, who is the Championship’s leading scorer this season with 13 goals for Middlesbrough.

Akpom’s contract with Middlesbrough expires in June, but Boro could trigger the player’s one-year extension clause, which makes a potential move away a bit complicated.

Meanwhile, should they fail to get their target, several reports have linked Everton with a move for out-of-favour Lyon striker, Moussa Dembele (26), for a possible offer this January.

Foot Mercato claimed the former Celtic player is a more realistic target for the Toffees than the former Arsenal and PAOK man.

Dembele has struggled to find his form this season and Lyon could cash in on the forward in the current transfer window.

The French man, who was an unused substitute when Lyon drew away at Nantes last weekend and will be out of contract this June – for a player they paid €22m to acquire in 2018.