Fenerbahce plotting January move for Everton forward Oumar Niasse

Everton forward Oumar Niasse is Fenerbahce manager Aykut Kocaman's first-choice striking target ahead of the January transfer window, according to reports in Turkey.

Niasse has managed to transform himself from forgotten man to cult hero on Merseyside in a matter of weeks, plundering six goals for the Toffees in all competitions after being restored to the first-team set-up by former manager Ronald Koeman.

The Senegal forward briefly established himself as Everton's first-choice centre-forward under interim manager David Unsworth but faces a fight to reclaim his place in the starting line-up from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who performed valiantly while the 27-year-old served a two-match suspension for deceiving an official during his side's 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace last month.

Niasse has since served his ban and was an unused substitute as the Toffees strode to a 2-0 win over toothless Huddersfield Town atb the weekend, but his renaissance at Goodison Park may end as abruptly as it began in January, with Fenerbahce prepared to swoop according to Turkish outlet Fotomac.

Fenerbahce manager Kocoman, who is hoping to offload former Premier League stars Robin van Persie and Fernando, is said to have talked to the club's board about signing Niasse, who has impressed him in recent months.

Niasse did enjoy a spell in Turkey with Akhisar Belediyespor and almost left Everton in the summer transfer window, only for a move to Crystal Palace to fall through on deadline day. However, the Merseysiders are unlikely to entertain an approach for a player who Koeman was initially desperate to see leave during his tenure.

Everton are not blessed with a host of strikers after failing to adequately replace Romelu Lukaku in the summer, and Allardyce recently confirmed that bringing a new centre-forward was a "priority" in the January transfer window. The Toffees have reportedly contacted Arsenal over the availability of outcast Theo Walcott, but Arsene Wenger cannot envisage the 28-year-old leaving north London next month.

Niasse, who joined Everton for £13.5m ($18.5m) from Russian outfit Lokomotiv Moscow in January 2016, was not part of the travelling contingent for the Toffees' Europa League dead-rubber tie against Apollon Limassol on Thursday (7 December) due to the club's failure to register him as part of their squad for the competition.

He will remain at Finch Farm with the rest of Everton's first-team stars, Allardyce and assistant manager Sammy Lee, with their focus not resting on matters in Cyprus but on the impending Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.