Moshiri can sign Lampard his own Benzema in Everton bid for “world-class” £17m talent - opinion

Everton have been linked with signing Barcelona striker Memphis Depay recently and the Dutch forward could be Frank Lampard’s own version of Karim Benzema at Goodison Park.

The Toffees have regularly been linked with a move for the Netherlands international in recent days, as the club weighs up potential replacements for Richarlison following his transfer to Tottenham Hotspur.

Reports have suggested that it would cost just £17m to prise him away from the Nou Camp, with the former Lyon man seemingly surplus to requirements in Xavi’s side, as he will likely welcome Robert Lewandowski before the transfer window shuts.

However, Everton could be the ones to benefit by signing the 28-year-old after a mixed debut season with the Catalan club, which saw him make 37 appearances in all competitions, contributing 13 goals and two assists.

Depay’s performances in La Liga last season were generally very good. He averaged a 7.10 rating from WhoScored, featuring either as a central striker or on the left-hand side.

Although Depay’s first spell in the Premier League with Manchester United didn’t go to plan, he was a lot less experienced and was playing in a toxic club atmosphere at the time, so would return to England a much more accomplished player.

If he were to sign for Lampard’s side this summer, then he could perform a similar role to Benzema, who enjoyed an extraordinary season as Real Madrid won La Liga and the Champions League.

According to FbRef, the Frenchman is the ninth-most similar player to Depay in terms of style of play, as both players like to drop deep and influence the attack, emphasised by the Barcelona man’s superb rate of progressive carries and progressive passes per 90 minutes.

WhoScored suggests that both Depay