Ross Barkley and Wayne Rooney are both close to returning to the side
Friday 29 December 2017 12:16, UK
Sam Allardyce has revealed Everton will be actively pursuing a number of strikers in the January transfer window.
The Everton boss confirmed his interest in signing Besiktas forward Cenk Tosun, along with "many others", and admitted the club "need a frontman".
Reports have linked Everton with a £25m move for Tosun, but Sky Sports News understands a deal has yet to be formally agreed.
Despite a revival in form since Allardyce took charge in November, Everton have struggled for goals, with their last two matches against Chelsea and West Brom ending in goalless draws.
Asked about the club's interest in Tosun, Allardyce said: "Him and many others. We need a frontman if we can find one. We will be actively looking for a frontman in this window.
"I need more goals in the side than what we have at the moment. If we are to just maintain our position, because we have started to struggle to create chances and score goals in recent matches.
"It is still one of the major problems that we have."
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been leading the Everton front-line, but the 20-year-old has managed just three Premier League goals so far this season and Allardyce admits they cannot rely on the young striker to provide the firepower needed.
"We need to strengthen in our goalscoring areas," Allardyce said. "Players who are already in, like Sandro, have not picked up the pace of the Premier League and haven't been able to show what they showed in Spain.
"Calvert-Lewin is battling away. I think he has got a bright future but I don't think we can rely on him at the moment."
Everton will be boosted by the news that Wayne Rooney and Ross Barkley are close to a return to the side.
Rooney missed the Christmas period with an illness, while Barkley continues his recovery from a thigh injury sustained in the summer, but Allardyce confirmed the midfielder will soon be available.
Asked about Barkley's fitness, Allardyce said: "He is training with us on a regular basis and he is very close to being available for selection.
"At some stage, or other, the cautious medical staff will say you can have him.
"Wayne [Rooney] is better. He had been stuck in bed for three or four days. It will be a big bonus for us.
"They have been out far too long, a lot of the players."
