Everton transfer inquiry rejected by Cardiff City

Well, that didn’t last long. Mere hours after it was reported that Everton had made an inquiry regarding Cardiff City’s Kenneth Zohore, the BBC’s Phil McNulty is now reporting that the Bluebirds have told the Toffees to not bother with the Danish striker.

Everton's inquiry for striker Kenneth Zohore has been rejected by Championship side Cardiff.

It means pressure is mounting on the Toffees to bring in the high-class striker they knew they would need.

Zohore, 23, would have represented an addition to the squad, but the Bluebirds say they are determined to hold onto the player.

While Zohore is far from the sexiest name available or even close to the best option Everton have been pursuing, it nonetheless represents another disappointing setback. For a club that was relentless in the early days of the transfer window, the Blues’ inability to find the solution at striker is becoming increasingly depressing.

Ronald Koeman and Steve Walsh may yet pull a rabbit out of their hat (Diego Costa? Olivier Giroud? Edin Dzeko?), but the longer this goes on, the more it seems like Everton may be reduced to scraping the bottom of the proverbial striker barrel.

Buckle up, because deadline day around Finch Farm is going to be a roller coaster.