Everton closing in on signing Switzerland Under-21 striker

Everton are reportedly closing in on the signing of Switzerland youth international Shani Tarashaj.

The Premier League side, who lost 4-3 at home to Stoke City on Monday afternoon, have lined up the Grasshopper Club Zurich forward as Steven Naismith’s replacement ahead of his proposed January £8m move to Norwich City.

The 20-year-old, who has eight international caps for Switzerland’s Under-21 squad, has scored an impressive eight goals in 18 league appearances for the Super League outfit this season.

Tarashaj, who is highly-regarded as one of his country’s brightest prospects, is understood to have been offered a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Toffees, although Grasshopper are keen on keeping the striker on loan for the remainder of the 2015-16 campaign.