The club is understood to have submitted a bid in the region of £12m for the 27-year-old

Everton’s search for a centre-forward has moved one step forward with the club submitting a bid for Che Adams.

The Southampton striker has long been on the radar of the Blues’ recruitment team. The club’s priority during this summer, as well as over recent transfer windows, has been to strengthen its attack.

In particular that has meant finding competition and cover for Dominic Calvert-Lewin should he continue to suffer the misfortune with injury that has plagued the past two campaigns.

Adams has been viewed as a potential solution for some time, with the ECHO previously reporting how interest in the 27-year-old remained heading into the new season. It is understood Everton have now acted

upon that interest and placed a bid in the region of £12m.

Four additions have been made to Sean Dyche’s squad so far this summer, most of them attacking options. Winger Jack Harrison arrived on loan from Leeds United on Monday, following Ashley Young, Arnaut

Danjuma and Youssef Chermiti. While those deals have been well received by Blues supporters there remains a belief for the need of an experienced striker who can bridge the gap between Calvert-Lewin and the

youthful promise of 19-year-old forward Chermiti, who is viewed as a signing for the future.

The Everton hierarchy shares that opinion and last week Dyche, when discussing the long-term vision for Chermiti, added: “There are other players we are still in for that would be an older and more experienced version but the market doesn’t just supply you with everything you need – the right age, the right time, the right money.”

Adams would be an effective fit for Dyche’s preferred set up, offering genuine back-up for Calvert-Lewin in the role spearheading the Everton attack. Crucially, he has significant Premier League experience with 25 goals and 13 assists across 124 games in the top flight. Adams has scored in Southampton’s opening two games of the Championship season.