By David Lynch, Merseyside Correspondent

7th Jun, 2023 | 5:00pm

Everton news: Significant update on Dyche potentially signing Dembele - sources

Everton have yet to make an approach for Moussa Dembele and would face stiff competition for the striker’s signature this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

Dembele, 26, will be available on a free transfer when his contract with Ligue 1 outfit Lyon expires at the end of this month.

With Sean Dyche on the hunt for attacking reinforcements, Goodison Park has been repeatedly cited as a potential destination for the Frenchman.

However, Football Insider understands that Dembele has yet to receive any contact from the Toffees over a potential move to England in the coming transfer window.

And doubt has been privately cast on whether they would be able to match the offers expected to arrive from clubs competing in European competition next term.

Everton had previously held talks with Dembele as part of previous manager Frank Lampard’s desperate search for a forward in January.

But a move ultimately failed to materialise, leaving the Blues light up top in the absence of the injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin during their battle against relegation from the Premier League.

After subsequently escaping the drop with victory over Bournemouth on the final day, the Merseyside club are keen to avoid a repeat this time around and are understood to be targeting two forwards as a result.

Dembele scored 70 goals in 172 appearances for Lyon during a five-year stay, and was equally prolific while playing for Celtic in the three years prior to that.

As such, he has been touted as an ideal free transfer target for a club who will have to move smartly in the market this summer.

But the Toffees have not made any early approach, opening up the possibility of other clubs swooping in.

In other news, returning star will be set for an important first-team role at Everton next season.