Everton target Michy Batshuayi is ‘still wanted’ by the club despite deadline day fast approaching, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

The Toffees are known to be in the market for a striker ahead of September’s deadline after selling Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur in a £60 million deal last month.

What is the latest news involving Batshuayi?

90min have reported that Everton are ‘in advanced talks’ to end Batshuayi’s Stamford Bridge nightmare permanently following six frustrating seasons at the club.

And talkSPORT then provided an update on the Belgium international’s situation, claiming that he is ‘open to joining’ Frank Lampard’s charges this summer.

Batshuayi arrived at Chelsea from Marseille in a £33m move back in 2016 but has only made 77 appearances across all competitions since then, embarking on a string of loan spells with mixed success.

The 28-year-old has turned out for the likes of Crystal Palace, Borussia Dortmund, and Valencia, most recently enjoying a successful stint with Besiktas where he registered 14 goals and five assists in 42 outings last term.

With just one year remaining on his contract in west London, it seems as though Batshuayi is now finally set to seek pastures new on a long-term basis.

What has Phillips said about Batshuayi?

When asked about the futures of Billy Gilmour, who has also been linked to Everton, and Batshuayi, Phillips revealed that although Lampard’s charges are still interested in the latter, ‘they’ve got other priorities’.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “I think that those are going to be some late moves. Batshuayi is obviously still wanted by Everton. But at the moment, they've got other targets, they've got other priorities there.

“So, he has got other teams interested, but it is quite quiet there at the moment in his camp, and nothing is close.”

Who else could Everton sign?

Sky Sports have disclosed that Everton are in ‘advanced negotiations’ to sign Brighton and Hove Albion striker Neal Maupay as they look to bolster their attacking options.

The 26-year-old has also entered the final year of his contract at the Amex Stadium, and it looked like he was set to sign for newly-promoted Fulham before Lampard’s late intervention.

Maupay has racked up 26 goals and eight assists in 102 Premier League appearances for the Seagulls over the last three years, helping cement their status in the top-flight.

It remains to be seen if Everton can get this deal over the line, but Maupay could provide decent cover and competition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin upfront.