Transfer fee for Cenk Tosun agreed

It appears Everton are close to making their first signing of the January transfer window official. Ed Aarons of the Guardian is confirming that the Blues have agreed on a £25million transfer fee with the Super Lig’s Besiktas for Turkish striker Cenk Tosun.

The number appears to be higher than previously quoted amounts in the 15-20million € range, but is also not unexpected for a striker who has banged in 13 goals in 23 games this season, including four in the Champions League to take Besiktas to the top of their group in the Champions League and a date with Bayern Munich in the knockout rounds.

Everton had been linked with the forward since early autumn, with Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace also mentioned. Reports earlier in the week indicated that personal terms had been agreed upon with Tosun for a 4million € annual salary on a four-and-a-half year contract.

The Germany-born Tosun broke onto the scene last season with 24 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions, and has 29 German youth international caps, before he switched allegiances to Turkey with whom he has 14 youth caps and 25 senior international appearances scoring 8 times.

Signing a player from the unheralded Turkish Super Lig represents a risk for the Blues, but we can only assume that Director of Football Steve Walsh and his backroom staff have run the rule over the player and feel the 6’1” forward has the necessary physical traits to make an impression in the Premier League.

Everton certainly could use some help in the forward ranks with a fatigued Dominic Calvert-Lewin having featured in every game so far, while Oumar Niasse and Sandro Ramirez have not shown they can carry the workload as yet.

His goal for Besiktas against Porto seen here was named the best goal of the Champions League group stages, and as you can see, he has a cannon for a right foot!