Everton face growing competition for striker target
Everton have been searching for a new striker for a while, and this week brought a clearer picture of where they stand in that particular race.
Troy Parrott is still on David Moyes’s list, according to the Sunday Independent, but Everton are behind in the queue. Ajax and Real Betis both want the AZ Alkmaar striker, and Fulham are also watching from within the Premier League.
You can draw your own conclusions as to where this leaves the Toffees.
His price has dropped since Everton first sent the recruitment team to watch him last winter, when AZ wanted £31m. That figure now sits closer to £25-30m, after a season in which Parrott scored 24 goals in the Eredivisie and five more for the Republic of Ireland in their World Cup play-off run.
He’s the cheaper option compared to Chelsea’s Liam Delap, who Everton have also been linked with at a reported £40m.
With three weeks until the season starts and only Hayden Hackney and Christian Nørgaard added so far as brand new signings, a striker remains one of the main priorities.
Transfer journalist Sebastien Vidal has named Parrott among the forwards Everton are considering. Whether that turns into anything concrete depends on how the competition from Ajax and Betis plays out.
[Track every Everton arrival and departure on our summer transfer tracker].
Gary is editor for ReadEverton. He has many years experience of sports writing behind him after deciding (belatedly) that the world of accountancy wasn't for him. His work has been featured on (among many others) BBC Sport and The Metro. He has written on many sports, but considers himself an expert in football and F1. When not writing and editing he likes to go to the cinema and sip a lovely cold pint of Guinness (not always at the same time).
View all articles →
dave.sport is in beta
We are building a new home for independent sports coverage. dave.sport is currently in beta, with new features and publisher tools rolling out as we test what fans need most.
Explore the beta
Everton’s newest signing on facing their fans: ‘A big, big honour’
Everton’s newest signing on facing their fans: ‘A big, big honour’
Everton news & talking points — Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Everton news & talking points — Wednesday, August 5, 2026