Our writers have their say on the potential signing of Ivan Toney after links to Everton in January
Ivan Toney has been linked with a move (Photo by Wun Suen / AFP) (Photo by WUN SUEN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Everton have issues at centre-forward. The January transfer window is approaching. Ready for a slew of striker transfer rumours? Beto and Thierno Barry went into this season as the Blues' attacking options.
The former ended last season well, while the latter signed for £27 million after an impressive season with Villarreal. But as of yet, they've only managed to muster one goal between them in the Premier League.
So Ivan Toney would potentially be appealing. The England international forward is currently plying his trade in Saudi Arabia on lucrative terms and has been linked with a return to the Premier League in the mid-season window. The Blues are said to be one of a number of names in the frame, with Toney reportedly keen to put himself back in the frame for an international call-up for next summer's World Cup.
It is a potential signing that would undoubtedly split opinion. Our Everton writers have their say on whether the Blues should pursue a move for the 29-year-old...
Chris Beesley
When Sean Dyche came in as Everton manager, he described it as an “anomaly” that the team had just three goals throughout the entire 2022/23 season from their two main strikers, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (two) and Neal Maupay (one). Yet, over a third of the way throughout the current campaign, Beto has just one in the Premier League and Thierno Barry is yet to get off the mark.
When Dyche arrived at the Blues, they were second bottom of the table and fighting for their lives. They would ultimately avoid a first relegation in 72 years that term by a single Abdoulaye Doucoure goal on the final day of the season against Bournemouth despite posting what was the lowest equivalent points total in the club’s entire history.
David Moyes is quite rightly setting his ambitions much higher now with the increased financial muscle of new owners The Friedkin Group and the bright new dawn for Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The returning Blues boss, who posted nine top-eight finishes first time around, including a highest-ever Premier League position of fourth in 2004/05, wants to get them back into Europe having returned to the team he dubbed ‘The People’s Club’ when first appointed back in 2002.
For now, the jury remains out on both Beto and Barry. The former spent the best part of 18 months as Calvert-Lewin’s understudy but when finding himself the last man standing up front under Moyes earlier this year, he enjoyed a purple patch of five goals in four Premier League games in February, but was that just a flash in the pan?
The latter, who was only brought to the club four months ago, remains a development project, but Everton cannot wait indefinitely. Hopefully, the standing ovation he received for his efforts in the 2-0 win over Fulham can prove a watershed moment, but the goals need to start coming.
That’s why Ivan Toney appeals so much. While he turned his back on the Premier League for the riches of the Saudi Pro League at the start of last season, he has proven pedigree in the division with goal returns of 12 (2021/22) and 20 (2022/23) from his two full seasons and that marks him a class apart from many of the other strikers who could become available during the January transfer window.
It’s understood that Moyes rates the player who is seemingly eager for a return to these shores in an attempt to try and win a place in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad. There could be numerous obstacles to make this deal work, but if it’s a goer then Toney would undoubtedly boost Everton’s firepower and it would be a move worth pursuing.
Matt Jones
Toney is tempting. There is no denying that.
Still 29, still scoring goals in Saudi Arabia and not long ago he was one of the best strikers in the Premier League. While Beto can bustle and Barry has shown potential, Toney would likely provide an immediate solution to any chance-taking concerns. Plus, he's an expert penalty taker, a brilliant technical forward and capable of scoring different types of goals.
There are caveats though. The salary being one. Toney will be on astronomical wages in Saudi Arabia and that's something Everton would need to be wary of. There are also physical concerns to factor in - could he cope with the intensity of the Premier League after a stint away? And at 29, how much would be too much for Everton to spend on a player who possesses little in terms of resale value?
One striker would surely have to make way too. Toney's arrival would leave Everton with three forwards for what is almost exclusively a one-striker setup. Beto feels like the man most likely to make way, provided they can find a suitor in January.
Toney would potentially be an ideal footballing mentor to Barry and take some of the pressure off him to perform. The Premier League know-how and big-game experiences are factors the young forward could draw upon.
So if the financials are in Everton' favour, it's a move that'd make a lot of sense. And if Everton have something to play for in the second half of the season - hopefully a European place! - then that temptation would be tricky to resist.
Connor O'Neill
While Chris and Matt might have sat on the fence a little bit, I believe Everton should be going all out to sign Ivan Toney during the January transfer window.
He is exactly the type of player the Blues needs. He is a proven Premier League goalscorer and has a point to prove.
However, the major difficulty with bringing Toney back would be the financials involved. He is on high wages in Saudi Arabia and has a contract that runs until 2028.
But if he can push the move himself, then that would help the Blues possibly get a deal over the line.
Another huge factor is his age. Only 29, Toney has plenty more years ahead of him.
A reunion with Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur also feels possible, and that, in return, could mean Richarlison suddenly becomes available.
But when it comes to Everton and Toney, David Moyes should definitely be doing all he can to bring the England international to Hill Dickinson Stadium in January.