Premier League strugglers Everton are interested in Reading forward Lucas Joao, according to MailOnline.

The 29-year-old is in the final year of his contract, meaning this window would be the final opportunity for the club to recoup any of the £5m they paid for him in 2019.

Everton are second bottom in the Premier League table but have recently taken on Sean Dyche as manager after sacking Frank Lampard.

Sitting only two points adrift of safety, only Wolves have scored less than the Toffees.

According to MailOnline, "Everton are showing an interest in Reading's 6ft 4ins striker Lucas Joao as they search for a late addition to their strikeforce."

A prolific scorer for the club, the Angola international has hit 43 goals in 104 appearances for the club.

He hit 22 goals in 2020/21 as Veljko Paunovic's side finished seventh, despite spending most of the season in the top six.

However, he has struggled for form this campaign, netting just five in 22 appearances.

He has never played at Premier League level, spending the last eight years in the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn Rovers and the Royals.

The deadline closes at 11pm.