Everton make striker transfer breakthrough for Sean Dyche after Aston Villa drubbing

Everton are closing in on the signing of Southampton striker Che Adams after submitting a new bid worth £15million. The development has emerged in the wake of the Toffees’ humiliating 4-0 defeat at Aston Villa that leaves them rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table after the opening two matches.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has suffered rotten luck with various fitness problems in the past two seasons, also suffered a nasty-looking facial injury during the first half after colliding with Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

The incident once again highlighted Everton’s need for attacking reinforcements on a day where they looked blunt in attack.

The Telegraph are now reporting that a deal is now progressing for Southampton frontman Adams in welcome news for suffering Toffees’ supporters.

A new bid worth £15m has been lodged after a £12m offer was rejected in the past 48 hours.

Adams is now in the final year of his contract at Southampton meaning they could be forced to sell.

Despite that, Russell Martin has already outlined his desire to continue working with the centre-forward with Southampton prepared to discuss a new contract if Adams does not depart before the transfer deadline.

The Scotland international struck a 94th-minute winner for the Saints on Saturday in their 2-1 win at Plymouth.

The 27-year-old has now notched in all three of Southampton’s Championship matches this season after starting the campaign in blistering form.

Adams also hit a late winner at Sheffield Wednesday on the opening day of the season before finding the net in the 4-4 draw with Norwich last weekend.

Everton have already signed another striker this summer in the form of Sporting CP’s Youssef Chermiti.

But Dyche has already made it clear he does not expect Chermiti to feature much this season as he is a player for the future.

It was a nightmare afternoon for Everton at Villa Park as they found themselves 2-0 down inside 24 minutes.

John McGinn opened the scoring before Douglas Luiz doubled the hosts’ advantage from the penalty spot.

Things got even worse after half-time when Leon Bailey profited from Michael Keane’s mistake to rifle home a third.

Jhon Duran then capitalised on another error at the back when he pounced on a lacklustre throw-in from Ashley Young to grab his first Villa goal.

Everton now look poised for another challenging season after surviving the drop on the final day of campaign last term with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth.