Everton have bid accepted for Oumar Niasse

There are several reports coming out today that Oumar Niasse is in England to meet with Everton after having a bid accepted by his current club, Lokomotiv Moskow. That bid is rumored to be for £13.5 million and would seem to confirm the team is out on Sporting Lisbon forward Islam Slimani who was rumored to be a target as recent as yesterday.

Niasse is central forward with explosive pace and great finish. So far this season he has scored 13 goals in 23 total games in all competitions for Moskow. He also has some time at wing, but would seem to play better at central forward to use his speed to get behind the defenders.

A few questions would arrive with the signing if it does happen. Niasse is 25 years old so he's not a long term project and would be put right into the team, but would he be moved from his natural position to wing or would Roberto Martinez makes changes to play two strikers up top?

Another question is should Martinez be addressing defense before adding another striker? The defense has suffered from injuries all season and while young players have stepped up and looked good that also could use an extra defender with a bit of experience to organize the back line and strengthen the defense.

Niasse is expected to be open to this move as his wife is from Manchester and a return to England would be his goal. The cost seems a little high, but we've seen January transfers often take a bit more to get done. If this move results in Martinez making some adjustments to tactics and formation I think it's a good move even at a higher cost. Perhaps taking a try at a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 for a few games with Niasse and Lukaku up top might improve the results on both ends of the pitch.