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Everton watching Croatian World Cup forward

Ante Rebic is having himself quite the season

Argentina v Croatia: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Ante Rebic scoring against Argentina
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images

BACKGROUND

Versatile big-game striker Ante Rebic is a name to keep an eye on. The Fiorentina forward on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt had an excellent season in the Bundesliga leading his team to 8th place, just out of the Europa League spots. Additionally, his goals delivered the first piece of silverware Frankfurt have won in thirty years at the highest level with the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) last season.

Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund have already been linked with the Croatian forward and now the Daily Mirror are reporting that Everton have entered the race as well. Frankfurt have already activated the option-to-buy clause on the loan deal, and are offering to double the striker’s current wages to around £50,000 to keep him from making a lucrative Premier League move.

PLAYER PROFILE

For the casual fan, Rebic shot into the global spotlight when he kickstarted Croatia’s demolition of Argentina in the first game of Group D action this World Cup with this incredible volley.

However, the 24-year-old’s claim to fame started even earlier than that, with his brace for Frankfurt in the Cup final against Bayern Munich settling the game and the title.

Rebic really burst onto the scene this season following his return to Frankfurt on loan, scoring nine goals with three assists in 28 games, splitting time between centre forward and left wing.

The Croatian is a hard-running forward who makes his presence felt, applying pressure high up the pitch and quick in transition when his side is in possession.

EVERTON ANGLE

Everton currently have Cenk Tosun as the starter with Oumar Niasse and Dominic Calvert-Lewin backing up the Turkish striker. Niasse has been linked with a move to Galatasaray while Calvert-Lewin has been erratic, so the Blues interest in a secondary striker who can make an impact off the bench is understandable.

Rebic is not going to come cheap, and the Toffees have needs elsewhere on the pitch, but if the Blues can bring in the Croat that could make for an impactful 1-2 punch at the forward position.