Everton set for £15m transfer battle with Leeds for Wolves striker Hwang Hee-chan if Ben Brereton Diaz deal fails

EVERTON will join the chase for Wolves’ South Korean striker Hwang Hee-chan if they fail to agree a fee for Ben Brereton Diaz.

The Toffees are yet to meet Blackburn’s £15million valuation of Chile striker Brereton Diaz.

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Wolves striker Hwang Hee-chan could be set for a Molineux exit before the transfer window closesCredit: Getty

Goodison transfer guru Kevin Thelwell is a big fan of Hwang, who is available for around £15m and also fancied by Leeds United.

Leeds may sell winger Dan James to Tottenham to finance a move for a forward but Spurs have only offered a loan so far.

Whites boss Jesse Marsch worked with the 26-year-old at Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig.

Hwang only joined Wolves last year on an initial loan deal, before the Midlands outfit turned his temporary stay into a permanent switch earlier this year.

The 47-cap international scored five Premier League goals during the 2021-22 campaign from his 30 outings.

But he is yet to find the back of this net this term despite featuring in all four of the club’s matches in the top-flight and Carabao Cup.

Wolves boss Bruno Lage has commented on the forward’s future ahead of Sunday’s clash against Newcastle.

He said: “I’m very happy with him and I like him a lot.”

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Before adding: “Hwang spends a lot of time in the academy like other players and he wants to be in his best shape all the time, and do everything he can to play.

“So we’re talking about a great professional, a great kid, a top player and someone who scored six (five) important goals for us last season.

“Who wouldn’t want a player like him? I want him, I like him, but in the end we need to understand the market and the situation of the club.

“So we are looking for players from other teams, and we need to expect other teams are looking at our players also.

“He can play as a winger – especially on the left – and as a striker, like he’s done in the first few games.”