Everton begin talks with Paul Onuachu in last gasp attempt to sign him before window closes

ENGLISH Premier league side Everton have stepped up moves to sign in-form Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu from Belgian club Genk before the close of the transfer window tonight in a bid to revive their flagging season.

Everton are currently sitting in 19th place in the 20-team table and have only scored 15 goals in 20 matches, compared with the 34 of their across-town rivals Liverpool. This poor form has led to the sacking of manager Frank Lampard and former Burnley head coach Sean Dyche named as the new Everton head coach.

In a last gasp bid to beef up his attack before the close of the January transfer window at midnight, Mr Dyche has initiated talks with Onuachu's representatives. Many fans believed that Everton would go into the transfer window with very limited finances but thanks to the sale of Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United for a fee of around £45m, the club now has money to spend.

Everton are yet to make a signing in the transfer window but thanks to this sale they could finally make one on deadline day. According to online portal TheSecretScout, Everton are in discussions with FC Genk over a potential move and are talking to the players representatives.

Aston Villa were reported to have been eyeing Onuachu during the January transfer window with manager Unai Emery thought to be planning a £21m bid. Back in September, Onuachu said that another English side Wolverhampton Wanderers had shown interest in bringing him to Molineux but instead, signed Sasa Kalajdzic from Stuttgart.