Everton may have a chance to acquire Azmoun on a free transfer

As per reports from the 

,

talisman

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

is on the verge of returning after four months when the Toffees face

on Boxing Day.

During the 14 previous games that the Toffees star was out of action, Rafa Benitez’s side have climbed down the Premier League table. Their average goal per game has been just one in the England international’s absence as Solomon Rondon felt like the Andy Bernard to Calvert-Lewin’s Michael Scott, a lesser version of what there was before.

The January window, however, is so close, and despite Calvert-Lewin’s return being a boost for the blue side of Stanley Park, Everton’s poor run of form during those four months has indicated that there needs to be some recruitment in the attack.

Based on reports from

, Everton are keen on acquiring Sardar Azmoun’s services as his deal with

is due to expire in seven months. This is Everton’s first time to show an interest in the so-called ‘Iranian Messi’.

“

There was huge, just crazy interest in him. All the clubs called us,” 

admitted Azmoun’s former FC Rostov coach

Kurban Berdyev

.

“And these are the top clubs (who tried to sign him); Arsenal, Celtic and Everton. Their owner is an Iranian (Farhad Moshiri) who contacted me and tried to negotiate a transfer.”

When quizzed about the chance to bring their long-term transfer market to Goodison Park in January, Marcel Brands, the former director of football, responded bluntly and mentioned that the Toffees have many centre-forwards.

However, that kind of claim does not indicate in-depth observation and examination.

Richarlison would rather play out wide, Rondon is playing like a shadow of his Newcastle United best and Cenk Tosun is expected to leave soon.

Brands’ questionable claims, then, seem to show the muddled thinking that has influenced Everton during half-a-decade of disappointment.

Bringing in Azmoun, who will hit free agency in the summer transfer window, or snapping him up on a cut-piece fee next month, would be an oddly inspired decision made by the recruitment team of the club.

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