Not Kelechi Iheanacho? Sean Dyche’s Everton turn towards Nigeria-eligible Luton Town striker

English Premier League side, Everton, are interested in the services of ten-goal Nigeria-eligible striker, Elijah Anuoluwapo Adebayo, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 26-year-old England-born striker was one of Luton Town’s key players this season, scoring ten goals in 16 starts, but that wasn’t enough to seal a Premier League stay for the Kenilworth Road faithful.

Despite Luton’s relegation, some players like Ross Barkley, Gabriel Osho, and Elijah Adebayo have caught the eye of top teams. They could be on their way out of the club, in a bid to continue playing at the highest level of English Football.

As per TeamTalk, Everton’s head coach, Sean Dyche, has told the club to intensify efforts to bring the 6-ft-5-in tall striker to Goodison Park.

The English coach is a big admirer of Adebayo and the striker’s goal against the Toffees when both sides played out a 1-1 draw in the course of the season played a huge role in that.

Dyche is determined to increase Everton’s attacking prowess next season after they struggled for goals this season, scoring 40 goals from 38 games. Sheffield United were the only team to record a lower feat, with 35.

Despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s late return to form, the Everton gaffer feels the squad could do with more options up front. Soccernet.ng earlier reported that the Merseysiders are linked with Kelechi Iheanacho whose contract with Leicester City runs out this summer.

Calvert Lewin’s contract runs out in 2025, so there’s a chance Everton might go for both strikers with Nigerian DNA.

Adebayo mentioned during the season that it’ll be a dream come true for him to don the green and white colours of the Nigerian national team, and it is yet to be known if he’ll get an invite for the Super Eagles upcoming World Cup qualifying games.

Elijah Adebayo scored a hat-trick in Luton’s 4-0 win over Brighton back in January and was the first Luton player to score a top-flight hat-trick since Lars Elstrup against Norwich City in September 1990.

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience.

He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.