Everton eye Stoke City’s 12-goal forward to soften Romelu Lukaku’s exit

Everton are reportedly eyeing a move for Austria international ace Marko Arnautovic this summer, according to The Sun.

The Premier League side, who host Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the forthcoming 2016/17 English top-flight campaign in less than three weeks time, have been linked with a move for the Stoke City forward.

Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.

The 27-year-old, who has 55 international caps for his country and featured for Austria at this summer’s European Championships in France, scored an impressive 12 goals and provided six assists in 40 appearances in all competitions for the Potters last season.

Arnautovic, who joined Stoke from Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg for a reported £2m back in September 2013, is being lined up by Toffees boss Ronald Koeman to help ease the potential departure of star striker Romelu Lukaku, who is being linked with a return to former club Chelsea.

The Austria winger is entering the final year of his current Stoke deal having failed to agree a new deal at the Bet365 Stadium.