The 29-year-old joined Aston Villa from Southampton in August for around £25 million (BBC).
Before the striker moved to Villa Park, however, Everton boss Rafa Benitez wanted to bring him to Goodison Park according to The Sunday Mirror (May 16th, page 73).
The Toffees have made a fine start to their 2021/22 Premier League campaign but they are over reliant on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Should the 24-year-old suffer a serious injury, Everton have nobody in reserve as far as out and out strikers are concerned.
Everton will regret missing out to Aston Villa on Danny Ings
Villans boss Dean Smith will be delighted that he won the race to sign the clinical striker.