Everton have been linked with transfer raids for Ivan Toney and Scott McTominay but former Blues striker Louis Saha has contrasting opinions over moves for the pair
Ivan Toney of Al-Ahli (left) and Scott McTominay of Napoli (right) have both been linked with potential moves to Everton
Ivan Toney of Al-Ahli (left) and Scott McTominay of Napoli (right) have both been linked with potential moves to Everton
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Everton “definitely” need to bring in a different kind of striker and Ivan Toney fits the bill, but Scott McTominay won’t be heading to Hill Dickinson Stadium any time soon.
That’s the verdict of Louis Saha who having been signed by David Moyes, netted 35 goals in 115 games for the Blues between 2008-12, including one after just 25 seconds in the 2009 FA Cup final, and he played in a side that finished fifth, eighth and seventh in the Premier League in his three full seasons on Merseyside. Although Thierno Barry has produced encouraging displays in Everton’s back-to-back wins over Fulham and Manchester United, after 14 matches he is still waiting to break his scoring duck following his £27million move from Villarreal in July while the team’s other frontman Beto netted his only Premier League goal so far this season in the 3-2 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 30.
Asked whether Troy Parrott, who netted all five of Republic of Ireland’s goals in their brace of wins over Portugal and Hungary and has struck 14 in 16 matches for AZ this term, fits the bill, Saha told punditarena: “They definitely need a player with a different profile to play up front. Thierno Barry definitely has plenty of potential, but he’s still young and inexperienced.
“I don’t think it’s a huge surprise that he’s still struggling. What Everton need now is someone with more experience.
“I think Ivan Toney would be perfect for them right now. It’s never easy to get a proven goalscorer in, especially in January, but he’s the kind of player who would be ideal.
“They need someone who knows where the goal is and who has done it before. They need someone with technique and consistency, and Toney provides that.”
However, the Parisian remains perplexed about rumours claiming Everton are preparing what would be a record-breaking £62million move for Scott McTominay who turns 29 next month. Over eight years on from his arrival, Gylfi Sigurdsson’s £45million move from Swansea City in August 2017 remains the Blues’ most-expensive purchase.
Saha said: “Well, it’s good for speculation but I don't see a player in that kind of form going to Everton. I am surprised to hear this kind of rumour.
“I just don’t see it happening. I think he’s playing out of his skin right now at Napoli.
“I think a Premier League return might be right for him down the line, but right now I don’t see it – especially not to Everton. I think he’s good enough to go to Real Madrid or Barcelona, maybe Bayern Munich. That’s the level he is capable of and no disrespect to Everton, but they’re just not there.”
Although the ECHO understands Blues boss Moyes rates his compatriot McTominay as an attacking midfielder and tried to sign him while at West Ham United, speaking in his pre-match press conference for the 1-0 win at Manchester United, he played down suggestions that Everton would be spending that kind of fee. He said: “The reality is I would never talk about other players but if you're talking about £60m, I don't think we’re quite at that level yet.
“We’re working towards it, we’re trying to build ourselves back up, and get on solid ground again.
“We’ve done that with the new owners, new stadium and staying up last year, but we have to make sure we go steady. I don’t think we’ll be shooting for the stars straight away.
“That’s not to say it might not happen, but my gut feeling is that it’s not a market we’ll be in.”