If Everton want to close the distance on those currently holding European tickets in the Premier League, they will need to make even bigger signings than that of Tyrique George this summer.

That's not to say that George, 20, doesn't represent excellent business for the Toffees, who have secured the permanent signature of last year's loanee from Chelsea.

Across 11 top-flight fixtures for Everton, George did not score and neither did he assist a goal. He impressed, though, and has now completed a £25m transfer to the Hill Dickinson, taking with him bucketloads of potential that could see him develop into a leading Premier League winger.

However, Everton need to sign a couple more forwards who will bring a sense of immediacy to David Moyes' project.

Everton may have advantage in transfer battle

Everton are still engaged in talks with representatives over a deal to bring Jack Grealish back over to Merseyside after he completed a successful loan spell with them last season.

However, the England winger's staggering wage and City's £50m asking price could prove prohibitive. Everton need to keep their options open.

According to South Korean outlet Chosun, Everton are at the heart of a race for Celtic star Daizen Maeda this summer, with the Japan forward eager to change his scenery this summer.

While Brentford are understood to have shown the most interest at this early stage, it's understood that Moyes could play a big part in deciding the 28-year-old's future, with his Scottish ties perhaps helping the Merseysiders in negotiations.

Maeda is expected to cost suitors such as Everton something in the region of £20m. This could be a real coup for Moyes' side, who would land a winger with the potential to bridge that gap on the elusive top spots in the Premier League.

Why Maeda would be a more exciting Everton signing than George

Some players are just clutch, and Maeda is undoubtedly among the best of them there. He is a big-game player, never fazed by the occasion and capable of producing show-stopping moments.

In this, the Japanese maverick could be a real phenom for an Everton side lacking a bit of stardust in the final third. George is fast and wears a sort of youthful avidity, but he's not going to emerge as a talisman next year, and that's just the truth of it.

Maeda, conversely, has led Celtic through a title-laden period, scoring many goals and assisting many more.

Hailed as a "one-man closing-down machine" by pundit Chris Sutton, Everton would land quite the forward in this one. Maeda has led a storied career in Scotland with Celtic, and his versatility across the frontline could allow him to make a real impact.

Coaches have described him as a "physical beast" for his seemingly unlimited stamina, and his ability to turn on the tap and produce magic moments only deepens the argument that he could become the star of the show at Everton.

Maeda has recently starred for his nation at the World Cup across the Americas, scoring against Sweden in the group stage and fighting tooth and nail during a compelling knockout game against Brazil.

Maeda is the real deal. He hasn't played Premier League football, but you would hazard that his physicality and athleticism could help him toward a strong standing in Moyes' Evertonian squad.

Whether he hits the heights of Scotland is a tough one to call. Everton don't have the freedom and expansiveness that Celtic enjoy in the Premiership.

But this is a sensational attacker, and he would enjoy a more immediate impact than George.