Everton have made bid for Ishak Belfodil

UPDATE (15:20 BST, January 12th)

Multiple media sources are reporting that Belfodil is on his way to Everton today, his 25th birthday.

UPDATE (16:15 BST, January 11th)

In an interesting twist, now RTL, a different Belgian media house, are claiming that the transfer fee is only £3.5 million (€4m), of which a part is going to the player as part of a confidentiality clause to not reveal the full transfer fee. It’s never straightforward with an Everton transfer is it?

Everton are set to make an upto £10.5 million (€12m) bid for Standard Liege striker Ishak Belfodil, according to the Liverpool Echo. Belgian media source DH reports that the Toffees and Liege officials met last night to hash out the details for the player’s move.

The Blues are expected to be busy in January, with Ronald Koeman keen to add to his options. They have already secured the signing of Ademola Lookman from Charlton Athletic while a deal for Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is close to completion.

Adding to their forward options is likely to be a priority, with the current squad short on quality up front. That has led to them identifying Belfodil as a target this month, reports the Liverpool Echo.

According to the newspaper, Director of Football Steve Walsh has identified the 24-year-old Algeria international as a target and is keen to push through a deal. The striker joined the Standard Liege on a one-year deal in August and Everton would have to pay £10m upwards to secure his signature.

Belfodil currently is still with his team at a warm-weather training camp in Spain. With the Schneiderlin close to completion Everton could step up their interest in the coming days.

The striker is not in Gabon with the Algeria international squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and would be available to Everton immediately after his signing.