Former player Wayne Rooney on the pitch during a commemorative ceremony after the last match for the men's team at Goodison Park
Everton have made a solid start to the new campaign under David Moyes, taking four points from their opening two Premier League matches.
The Toffees beat Crystal Palace 2-0 on the opening weekend before drawing 1-1 away at Bournemouth, while a 4-0 Carabao Cup victory over Preston North End has also ensured that they remain unbeaten in competitive action so far.
One of the biggest positives has been the form of Thierno Barry. The 23-year-old opened his account for the campaign against Palace before producing an even more impressive performance at Deepdale four days later where he netted a hat-trick.
However, despite Barry’s impressive start, Everton's search for another centre-forward appears to be continuing as the transfer deadline approaches.
The Toffees have been looking at further attacking reinforcements throughout the summer, with Moyes seemingly keen to add greater competition in the final third, and that has now ramped up further as Fabrizio Romano reveals Beto is set to leave and be replaced by Folarin Balogun.
Everton make offer for Folarin Balogun to replace Beto
According to Romano, Everton have sent an "official bid" to sign the Monaco star after agreeing to send Beto to Fiorentina in a deal worth €17m. It would be the second time in the space of a few days the Toffees have found an instant replacement for a departing senior player, with Richarlison set to arrive in place of Iliman Ndiaye.
Reporter Sacha Tavolieri has added that Monaco "could secure a fee exceeding €40m plus add-ons" for Balogun, who is keen to make the move to Merseyside.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Steven Bisig
The 25-year-old has already reached an agreement on personal terms with Everton over a potential switch and is now waiting to see whether the two clubs can agree on a fee.
Should a move go through, Balogun would arrive on Merseyside following an impressive summer on the international stage after his displays for the USA during their home World Cup.
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Stat Beto Folarin Balogun
Club Everton Monaco
Competition Premier League Ligue 1
Appearances 37 30
Starts 17 26
Minutes 1,564 2,245
Goals 9 13
Assists 1 4
Goal contributions 10 17
Goals per 90 0.52 0.52
G+A per 90 0.58 0.68
Average rating 6.51 7.03
He announced himself by scoring twice against Paraguay in the USA’s opener and was also named Player of the Match against Australia - ending the competition with three goals and one assist from four appearances.
Former Everton striker Wayne Rooney was also impressed with Balogun over the summer, praising his pace, power, directness and ability to drive with the ball.
richarlison-tottenham
Those attributes could provide Moyes with something different in attack. Balogun possesses the speed to threaten space behind defensive lines and has shown an ability to carry the ball directly towards goal, whereas Barry offers more of a physical presence through the middle.
It looks as if a move for the former Arsenal man could be on the cards in the final hours of the window, making this one to keep a close eye on before Tuesday night’s deadline.