Everton have made a formal enquiry to AZ Alkmaar to discuss a January move for winger Oussama Idrissi, according to Inside Futbol.
The Morocco international has been in extremely fine form with his current Eredivisie outfit this season, with his performances under Arne Slot at the AFAS Stadion sparking interest across Europe.
Serie A side AS Roma are said to have shown an eager curiosity into Idrissi’s situation, while fellow Premier League outfit West Ham United have approached Alkmaar and scouts of unnamed clubs have watched the 23-year-old in action.
Roma could step up their position in the final days of the winter market with Paulo Fonseca’s Giallorossi fourth in the Serie A, and only three points clear of Europa League qualifying Atalanta.
Alkmaar, currently second in the Dutch top-flight by six points to leaders Ajax, value Idrissi in the region of £17m and £20million, and have the Netherlands-born forward under contract until the summer of 2022.
Idrissi has been a mainstay of Slot’s plans at the AFAS Stadion this term, with the seven-time international starting all bar one of his 33 appearances in all competitions thus far.
He has also been a frequent name on the scoresheet, with Idrissi credited with 13 strikes and eight assists over the Eredivisie and Europa League for a goal involvement of 21 – including efforts against Feyenoord, Willem II and FC Utrecht.
Slot called on Idrissi to start both Europa League Group Stage ties against Manchester United and has favoured the 6ft forward on the left-wing for each of his outings this season.
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Everton Director of Football Marcel Brands has an extremely strong working knowledge of what it takes to tick in the Eredivisie from his spells at PSV Eindhoven, Alkmaar and RKC Waalwijk, so it is no surprise that he continues to monitor the league for potential signings.
Whether Brands steps up our pursuit from an enquiry to a formal bid remains to be seen, though, as Idrissi does not have a great extent of first-team football under his belt and all of his game time thus far has come in the Netherlands or the Europa League.
It was only last season that Idrissi became an established senior player, too, and Brands may baulk at a £20m asking price if he doubts the winger can carry over his present career-best form in England.
In other Everton news, the club have likely seen our hopes of signing a £30m Champions League winner dashed for the last time.