As the Midlands club prepares a significant bid for the powerhouse forward, Everton faces a pivotal choice: cash in on the inconsistent veteran or bank on his experience.
Nottingham Forest are reportedly showing an interest in signing Everton striker Beto in the summer transfer window, but should the Toffees be looking to cash in?
Beto has been at the club for three years, getting an opportunity under multiple managers. At the age of 28, the Portugal-born striker should be in his prime years, and he is set to be entering his fourth season at Everton.
The Midlands club are looking to spend big as they back their new manager, with Beto eyed as a potential option for the centre-forward position.
But, should Everton be looking to cash in?
In Beto and Barry, you have two inconsistent players, but combined last season, they scored a respectable 17 Premier League goals. If you combined that into one striker, most would be happy.
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Beto has now been at the club for three seasons and has struggled to become the consistent striker everyone had hoped for.
Personally, if I’m picking between the two, I’m picking Barry, simply because he’s the younger option with more room to grow. Beto is meant to be in his prime years, and it doesn’t look as though he’s going to improve much from here.
Barry has now had a year to settle into life at Everton, and this is the season when he now has to prove himself. Beto is past that stage.
Many want a new striker heading into the new campaign. Personally, I’m not too bothered as I think there are more pressing concerns at Everton, and I can deal with a striker pairing hitting 17 Premier League goals.
At the age of 28, Beto simply isn’t going to improve much more. He’s had three seasons to show signs of doing so, but he’s still very similar to when he first arrived.
That’s not a major criticism either. You know what you’re getting with Beto. Scrappy goals, hard work, never-say-die attitude. It’s certainly beneficial at times.
If Everton are going to sign a striker this summer, one of Beto or Barry has to be sold. Three strikers in a one-striker system is pointless.
Would I sell Beto without a striker coming in? Of course not, but if someone is to come in, it’s basically a straight shootout between Beto and Barry to leave.
I’m backing Barry, due to age and potential.
If you can bring in a striker who's a little younger than Beto but maybe a little older than Barry, then it could be ideal.