Everton’s interest in Franculino Dju has now seen FC Midtjylland’s sporting director make a shock admission ahead of the January window.
Despite spending a considerable chunk of change in the summer, Everton are still finding themselves short in some areas.
David Moyes is short of both quality and depth in certain positions, but none more so than up front with Thierno Barry and Beto misfiring.
With goals proving a real issue already this season, Moyes has mooted the notion of playing Iliman Ndiaye up front as he leads the goalscoring charts.
Everton News has reported that Everton will look to sign a striker in January, but no panic buys will be made under the new ownership.
There will be options there for Everton, who will be keen to finally find a striker who can hit the ground running.
A shock admission from one club director may now provide Everton with some real confidence they could land one of their targets.
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Photo by BO AMSTRUP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
Midtjylland director shares Franculino Dju message amid Everton interest
Everton News can confirm that on Thursday evening, Everton scouts were in attendance to watch Franculino Dju against Celtic.
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It was a good game for the Toffee representatives to turn up for with the young striker finding the back of the net.
Speaking to Danish outlet TV2, Midtjylland’s sporting director Kristian Bach Bak admitted he is currently looking for the club’s next striker.
“We are also looking through the entire market to find that proven goalscorer, and if we had seen Franculino somewhere with everything he can do, he would probably have been our first choice too,” he said.
“If he continues as he is doing now, there will of course be interest in Franculino already this winter. We know that very well.”
Midtjylland currently value Franculino at £40m ahead of the January window, with around 20 clubs from across Europe showing an interest.
Everton have not had much luck in landing strikers from abroad in recent years, but this is a player who is in red-hot form.
Everton remain confident of Thierno Barry’s potential
It would be hard to deny that Barry hasn’t endured his struggles since making the move to the Premier League.
Moyes was disappointed in Barry’s miss against Sunderland; an opportunity that could have transformed his fortunes.
An interesting decision now lies ahead for Moyes as to whether he will stick with the 23-year-old in the starting XI for the game on Saturday against Fulham.
Against the Black Cats, Barry had his chance to change the narrative:
57 minutes played
1 big chance missed
0.51 xG
5/11 accurate passes
0/2 successful dribbles
Despite his early struggles, Everton remain confident that Barry will be a success on Merseyside.
However, adding a striker in January who could relieve the mounting pressure on Beto and Barry would surely be the ideal solution for Moyes.
The January window is quickly creeping up on clubs and Everton are one of many in the Premier League who will be looking to add goals.