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ROUD AWAKENING

Olivier Giroud still an Everton target as Ronald Koeman says he wants TWO more attackers before the end of the transfer window

Giroud is believed to still be Koeman's main striker target

RONALD KOEMAN wants to add another TWO forwards to his Everton frontline.

And Olivier Giroud is believed to still his main striker target once he completes the £50million signing of Swansea midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson.

 Olivier Giroud remains Everton's main striker target
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Olivier Giroud remains Everton's main striker targetCredit: AFP or licensors
 Ronald Koeman says he wants to sign another two attackers this summer
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Ronald Koeman says he wants to sign another two attackers this summerCredit: AFP or licensors

Iceland star Siggy, 27, will clinch his move to Goodison over the weekend after Swans boss Paul Clement admitted he wants the deal wrapped up.

Koeman still has plenty of starlets who could play in attack - as Dominic Calvert-Lewin showed with his Europa League winner against Ruzomberok.

But Koeman wants a No9 to play with Siggy and Wayne Rooney.

And Giroud has been a Toffees target all summer after rejecting a move to Lyon when Alexandre Lacazette signed for the Gunners from the Ligue 1 side.

When asked if he was still targeting a striker, Koeman was clear he wants to strengthen up front.

He said: “We need two more front players because if you count the players and count the numbers, we lost somebody and we brought somebody in.

"We like more competition and that explanation is not so difficult."

 Giroud faces plenty of time on the bench if he stays at Arsenal
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Giroud faces plenty of time on the bench if he stays at ArsenalCredit: Rex Features
 Swansea playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson is set to sign for £50m over the coming days
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Swansea playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson is set to sign for £50m over the coming daysCredit: Getty - Contributor

Rooney struggled against the Slovakian minnows in both legs of their European qualifier.

And he was eclipsed by Toffees youngsters last night, with Tom Davies looking their most dangerous player before Calvert-Lewin's winner.

Sandro Ramirez started in attack with Rooney before the Spaniard was subbed for Calvert-Lewin with 20 minutes to go.

Despite the prospect of having Giroud, Rooney, Sandro and Siggy all competing for places in his forward line, Koeman insists that Calvert-Lewin could still clinch a place.

The Toffees boss switched from a back four in the first leg to a 3-4-1-2 formation in the second.

The Dutchman said: "Maybe Dominic feels a bit more comfortable as one of two strikers.

 Wayne Rooney has struggled in his first two competitive games back with Everton
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Wayne Rooney has struggled in his first two competitive games back with EvertonCredit: Rex Features

"He's strong, he's fast and he scored a great goal.

"It was a physical game and 90 minutes that the players needed. We are through to the next round and I'm really happy."

Everton will now find out who they face in a two-leg play-off tie on Wednesday - when they will avoid seeded sides such as AC Milan and Athletic Bilbao.

 Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been backed by Koeman to play his part this season
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been backed by Koeman to play his part this seasonCredit: Reuters

Koeman added: "This competition has always been important for me.

"I like to be in Europe - it's important for our experience.

"It's good for the club, the players and the fans. It's not easy to reach the group stages but we will do everything to get there.

"Two victories, two clean sheets and I think we were better defensively tonight than we were last week.

"But we know that we can and need to improve in our ball possession. We need to create more than we did."

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