Report: Everton monitoring Sporting's Islam Slimani

Flush with cash following the recent Farhad Moshiri takeover, Everton reportedly has its eyes set on Sporting Lisbon's Algerian international attacker Islam Slimani.

Slimani, 27, has been nothing less than brilliant this season for Sporting, with a league second-best 18 goals for the second-place capital club; and he's sparking interest from the struggling Merseyside outfit, according to a report from the Liverpool Echo.

After failed efforts to sign him in January, Everton will again submit a bid for Slimani, who is under contract at Sporting through June 2020. Reports suggest that the club values the Algerian at £23 million.

With the ever-present fear that goal-machine Romelu Lukaku could be plucked by one of Europe's marquee sides, Slimani's acquisition would provide cover should the Belgian international depart in the summer.

Slimani is but one of a handful of Algerian internationals whose club form has cemented the national side as one of Africa's best. The 41-capped attacker is part of an attacking core that includes Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez, FC Porto's Yacine Brahimi, Lyon winger Rachid Ghezzal and Nice youngster Said Benrahma.

Reports suggest that the Toffees aren't the only Premier League club interested in Slimani, with Manchester United, Tottenham, and table-toppers Leicester City also monitoring the player.