More details continue to emerge about just how frantic Everton‘s search for a striker became on Deadline Day.
TEAMtalk are now reporting that the Toffees made a late move for West Ham forward Taty Castellanos, with a package potentially worth £45million put forward.
According to Graeme Bailey, Everton made contact as their attempts to land Folarin Balogun and other striker targets ran into difficulties. A verbal proposal of around £40m plus a further £5m in add-ons is claimed to have been made on Tuesday afternoon.
West Ham needed a replacement
The report says West Ham were prepared to listen to Everton’s proposal, despite Castellanos only joining them from Lazio in January.
There was, however, a familiar problem. West Ham were only prepared to sanction the Argentina international’s departure if they could find a suitable replacement.
With Everton’s approach arriving so late, the Hammers were unable to do that, and Castellanos stayed. The claim provides another glimpse into Everton’s increasingly frantic search for a centre-forward.
A £40m deal for Balogun collapsed following problems around his medical and a subsequent change of heart from the player. Everton also explored moves for Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee and Aston Villa’s Tammy Abraham, but neither came off.
Beto had already been allowed to join Fiorentina. That ultimately left David Moyes with Thierno Barry as his only recognised senior centre-forward – and the manager confirmed today that Everton are now looking at the free-agent market.
A few days on from Deadline Day, and we’re still discovering quite how many doors Everton knocked on.
For updates on the Toffees throughout the season, take a look at our LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments page.
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