If Everton thought closing the transfer window would end the striker conversation, today offered a fairly emphatic answer.
Mauro Icardi, Anthony Martial, Jordan Ayew and Danny Ings have all been discussed, while more has emerged about the failed attempt to bring Richarlison back. Throw in Ainsley Maitland-Niles reflecting on a fairly spectacular debut and a David Moyes quote from 22 years ago that could almost have been delivered this week, and there has been plenty going on.
Here’s what we’ve been talking about today.
Icardi story moves on
We started the day with a report from Argentine journalist Germán García Grova that Mauro Icardi had been offered to Everton.
The distinction was important. Being offered a player doesn’t mean Everton want to sign him, and at that stage there was nothing to suggest they did.
By the afternoon, there had been a development. ESPN journalist Luiz Carlos Largo reported that Everton are considering the 33-year-old as one possible option following the collapse of the £40m Folarin Balogun move.
Still no reported offer or contract talks, but a little more than simply having a name placed in front of them.
And the free-agent list keeps growing
Icardi was hardly alone. A fresh report claimed Everton would only consider moving for Anthony Martial if Thierno Barry suffered an injury, while talkSPORT put forward Jordan Ayew as the type of experienced forward Moyes might appreciate.
We also looked at Danny Ings as another available option, although there is no suggestion Everton have approached him. Ayew, meanwhile, appears to be heading elsewhere.
All of which led us back to the bigger question: do Everton actually need to sign a free-agent striker now?
They don’t necessarily need someone to arrive and replace Barry. But with Beto gone and Balogun’s move having collapsed, asking one 23-year-old to carry the entire No.9 burden until January looks a risk.
More on the Richarlison deal that wasn’t
There was more Deadline Day fallout too, this time concerning Richarlison.
Everton’s attempt to bring the Brazilian back from Tottenham had been known, but subsequent reports have filled in some of the gaps. Football Insider claims Richarlison entered negotiations with Everton but that the terms on offer, including wages, prevented an agreement.
That differs from a claim circulating today that Everton simply refused to meet Tottenham’s asking price. As we looked at in more detail, the published Football Insider account instead puts the breakdown down to Richarlison’s demands.
What does seem clear is that the proposed reunion went considerably further than a speculative enquiry. Richarlison stayed at Tottenham and Everton ended Deadline Day without the striker they wanted.
Maitland-Niles has made his entrance
Away from transfers, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been talking about his first few days as an Everton player.
The £4.3m Deadline Day arrival from Lyon came off the bench against Manchester United and promptly smashed in a 96th-minute equaliser. Not a bad way to introduce yourself to the Hill Dickinson.
His comments afterwards were interesting too. Maitland-Niles described Everton as a “fighting team” and said players have to earn respect by fighting as much as their teammates, if not more.
As we looked at earlier today, where Moyes ultimately uses him remains to be seen. Scoring that goal before you’ve even had a proper conversation with your new manager isn’t a bad start.
Moyes said something remarkably familiar in 2004
One of our favourite finds of the day came from the archives.
Back in November 2004, during the season in which Everton would eventually finish fourth, Moyes was discussing another squad that looked painfully thin. His take was simple: the small squad was a disadvantage, but having no sulkers was an advantage.
Fast-forward 22 years and Moyes is once again talking about making a small Everton squad work. After Sunday’s draw he said there would be “no excuses”, with everybody having to be ready when required.
Nobody is suggesting this Everton side is about to recreate 2004/05 after three league games. But the similarity between the two situations — and Moyes’ response to them — was difficult to miss.
Tottenham next
And eventually, we get back to the actual football.
Everton head to Tottenham on Saturday unbeaten in four competitive games this season, having won two and drawn two. They have five points from their opening three Premier League matches after Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United.
The squad remains too small and the striker issue hasn’t disappeared. But Everton have at least given themselves something to build on while Moyes works out how best to use what he has.
For updates on the Toffees throughout the season, take a look at our LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments page.
More emerges on why Everton’s late Richarlison return collapsed
More emerges on why Everton’s late Richarlison return collapsed
Everton now considering Mauro Icardi after free-agent striker offered to Toffees
Everton now considering Mauro Icardi after free-agent striker offered to Toffees