CHERRIES appear to be closing in on completing a club-record deal for striker Evanilson.

Since Dominic Solanke’s departure to Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend, for a fee which could reach £65million, the search has stepped up for a new striker.

Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah has been considered, but Porto’s Evanilson looks like being the man Cherries have opted for.

Widespread reports claim Cherries have agreed a deal with Porto for an initial £31.7m, which could rise to £40.2m after potential add-ons.

Evanilson is now set to travel to the UK before undergoing a medical and completing his move.

If all goes to plan, the 24-year-old will become the most expensive purchase in Cherries’ history, eclipsing the £25m, rising to £28m, paid to Levante for Jefferson Lerma in 2018.

Cherries had an initial bid for Evanilson rejected by Porto earlier this week, but it seems as though a figure has now been agreed on.

Evanilson has two caps for Brazil and scored 25 goals in 42 appearances for Porto last season.

Four of those came in the Champions League, where Porto were eventually knocked out on penalties by Arsenal.

Evanilson spent his youth with Fluminense in Brazil, progressing into their first team.

After spells with Samorin and Tombense, he joined Porto in 2020, where he has now made more than 150 appearances.

His form earned him a call-up to the Brazil squad for this summer’s Copa America, where he featured once.