Everton manager David Moyes celebrates after the match
Everton manager David Moyes celebrates after the match
Everton have turned towards the free agent market after missing out on a striker before the deadline.
David Moyes has only Thierno Barry available as a natural centre forward after Beto joined Fiorentina without a replacement arriving.
Everton striker Beto
Everton striker Beto
A move for Folarin Balogun collapsed following an issue during his medical, while Man United blocked a late loan approach for Joshua Zirkzee after refusing to weaken their squad.
Moyes has now confirmed that work is continuing despite the window closing.
That search has produced two familiar Premier League names.
Jamie Vardy is reportedly under consideration after leaving Cremonese. He turns 40 in January, but his movement and experience could still offer a useful short-term solution.
jamie vardy
jamie vardy
Anthony Martial has also been offered to the Toffees, with the former United forward available after leaving Monterrey and open to returning to England.
Both carry risks. Vardy’s age would have to be managed carefully, while Martial has battled injuries and poor form since leaving Old Trafford.
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|Free agent strikers Everton could sign|
|Player|Age|Last club|Background and Everton relevance|
|---|
|Jamie Vardy|39|Cremonese|Everton are considering the former Leicester striker.|
|Anthony Martial|30|Monterrey|Has been offered to Everton, according to reports, and can play centrally or out wide.|
|Mauro Icardi|33|Galatasaray|Experienced centre forward whose previous clubs include Inter and Paris Saint-Germain.|
|Karim Benzema|38|Al-Hilal|Available since 31 August. The former Real Madrid star would represent a particularly ambitious approach.|
|Joselu|36|Al-Gharafa|Former Stoke and Newcastle striker who subsequently helped Real Madrid win the Champions League.|
|Danny Ings|34|Sheffield United|Previously played under Moyes at West Ham and brings extensive Premier League experience.|
|Michail Antonio|36|Al-Sailiya|Another striker Moyes knows from West Ham. Available after his spell in Qatar.|
|Andrea Belotti|32|Cagliari|Former Torino striker. The Liverpool Echo reports that a failed medical prevented a new Cagliari deal.|
|Jordan Ayew|34|Leicester City|Familiar with English football through Aston Villa, Swansea, Crystal Palace and Leicester. Also covers wide positions.|
|Karl Toko Ekambi|33|Al-Arabi|Former Lyon and Villarreal forward who can operate centrally or from the left.|
|Edinson Cavani|39|Boca Juniors|Former Manchester United, PSG and Napoli striker. Another experienced option approaching the end of his career.|
|Luuk de Jong|36|Porto|Available, but Transfermarkt currently lists a cruciate ligament injury, limiting his usefulness as immediate cover.|
|Wissam Ben Yedder|36|Wydad AC|Former Monaco and Sevilla striker who became available in July after leaving Morocco.|
|Luciano Vietto|32|San Lorenzo|Former Fulham loanee who can play as a striker or support another centre forward.|
|Ihlas Bebou|32|Hoffenheim|Can cover the central role and both wings following a lengthy spell in German football.|
|Marcus Forss|27|Middlesbrough|Former Brentford forward offering English league experience at a younger age than most available alternatives.|
|Isaac Success|30|Al-Ta’awon|Former Watford and Udinese forward. Without a club since May and capable of covering wide positions.|
|Léo Bonatini|32|Atlético San Luis|Former Wolves striker, although he has been without a club since July 2025.|
Everton therefore need to decide whether either player can support Barry immediately, rather than simply adding another body to a squad Moyes has described as “really small”.
A more dramatic possibility could now be developing in north London.
Everton handed 'outside chance' of free Richarlison deal
Richarlison-Spurs-Brentford
Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
TalkSPORT reports that Tottenham may consider terminating Richarlison’s contract by mutual agreement if his proposed move to Trabzonspor cannot be done.
The big name Brazilian has been omitted from Spurs’ Premier League squad after making clear that he wanted to leave.
Roberto De Zerbi said Richarlison informed him of that desire during pre-season and has defended the decision to move forward without him.
Trabzonspor have agreed personal terms with the attacker, but negotiations with Tottenham over a fee have proved difficult. Spurs reportedly want more than the £15 million offered by the Turkish club.
richarlison-aston-villa-spurs
A return to Everton had already been explored before the English deadline. Tottenham were said to have discussed a deal worth £35m with the Toffees, but Richarlison did not agree terms and the move collapsed.
Should Spurs tear up the remaining guaranteed year of his contract, he would become available outside the window. That would create an unexpected opportunity for clubs searching for a striker, with Everton among the most obvious possible destinations.
Richarlison understands the club, the supporters and the demands surrounding Everton. He can operate through the middle or from the left and would bring much-needed aggression to an attack short of depth.
Tottenham Hotspur's Richarlison celebrates scoring their first goal
Tottenham Hotspur's Richarlison celebrates scoring their first goal
However, contract termination remains an 'outside chance', according to Ben Jacobs in the report. Tottenham would be surrendering a potential transfer fee, while Richarlison and the club would need to agree the financial terms of his departure.
The likes of Vardy are available now, and Moyes needs support for Barry quickly.
But if the situation at Spurs reaches the point of no return, an emotional Richarlison reunion could suddenly become possible without Everton paying any transfer fee.