Everton are closing in on the loan signing of giant Ivorian centre forward Lacina Traore from Monaco. The 23-year-old will have a medical with the Toffees ahead of a proposed temporary move from the resurgent French Ligue 1 heavyweights. Striker Traore, who stands six foot eight inches tall, only joined Monaco from Anzhi Makhachkala earlier this month as the Russian outfit's own strong financial backing was withdrawn over the summer. Claudio Ranieri, the Monaco manager, has been looking to loan Traore out as he already has £50 million Colombia hitman Radamel Falcao leading his attack. The Cote d'Azur club also have Martinique-born Emmanuel Riviere and Valere Germain on their books as options up front. West Ham were strong favourites at one stage to sign Traore and had secured a work permit, but that deal appeared to be scuppered by Roberto Martinez's interest. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce told the BBC:
" can apply for the work permit now. They'd have to do a separate application obviously if we got it, they'd know they'll get it."
Traore has four international goals from seven caps for the Ivory Coast. He moved to Europe in 2008 with Romanian team CFR Cluj, and then onto Russia first with Kuban Krasnodar before joining Anzhi in June 2012. Martinez needs competition for Toffees loan star Romelu Lukaku to lead the line at Goodison Park after selling Nikica Jelavic to Hull City. Traore could join injured compatriot Arouna Kone on Merseyside.
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
