Frank Lampard mulling over ambitious late Everton move for international striker

Everton are pondering a last-ditch loan move for Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic, according to a report.

After Frank Lampard finalised a two-and-a-half-year deal to become Everton’s new manager on Sunday, he quickly switched into transfer mode. The former Chelsea boss is getting his backroom staff together, but is working on new signings.

Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek has agreed to join Lampard. The Dutch midfielder is undergoing a medical after turning down a loan switch to Crystal Palace.

The deal will be a straight loan with the Toffees paying Van de Beek’s wages. There will not be an option to make the move permanent in the summer.

But Lampard is also mulling over whether to add another forward to his squad. And in an ambitious move the Telegraph’s Mike McGrath reports that Jovic is a target.

“Everton considering Luka Jovic as a loan option from Real Madrid to strengthen Frank Lampard’s attack,” wrote McGrath/.

“Player will be allowed to leave on loan. Everton can make foreign loans but no more domestic after arrivals of El Ghazi and Van de Beek.”

Jovic 24, will be allowed to leave the Bernabeu before the transfer deadline after making just two starts this season. His move to Real from Eintracht Frankfurt in June 2019 has not worked out.

He was in fact loaned back to Frankfurt last January, but returned to Madrid in the summer.

Everton considering Luka Jovic as a loan option from #RealMadrid to strengthen Frank Lampard's attack. Player will be allowed to leave on loan. #EFC can make foreign loans but no more domestic after arrivals of El Ghazi and Van de Beek https://t.co/c2o2SYZPZb

— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) January 31, 2022

The Serbia international, who is under contract until 2025 could be loaned to Everton.

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Arsenal link to Jovic

Although Everton have used their two allocated domestic loans with Van de Beek and Anwar El Ghazi, they can make another temporary signing from abroad.

And Jovic might be the sort of gamble that appeals to Lampard. He scored 36 goals in 75 games for Frankfurt before Real agreed to pay a reported €60m for his services.

He returned to the Bundesliga last term and hit four goals on loan in 18 games.

The Sun were among a number of sources to have reported that Arsenal were keen on Jovic.

Arsenal have a good link up with Madrid and have previously agreed loan deals with Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard to north London.

The Gunners though are understood to be out of the running.