REUTERS/Troy Wayrynen
All summer long, Everton supporters were crying out for added centre-forward depth to help David Moyes in his quest for success at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Theirno Barry and Beto were the manager’s two main option in such an area, subsequently combining to net 17 times in the Premier League last season.
However, the latter has since moved on to pastures new, after joining Serie A side Fiorentina for a reported £14.6m on the recent summer deadline day.
REUTERS/Paul Childs
It looked as though he would be moved on to accommodate the arrival of one player, that’s until a deal for his replacement fell apart during the final hours of the window.
Why missing out on Balogun was a blessing for Everton
In an attempt to improve the Toffees’ attacking department, the Everton hierarchy made a late move to sign AS Monaco talisman Folarin Balogun on deadline day.
The American international has agreed a £45m deal to join Moyes’ men and subsequently travelled to Merseyside during the closing hours of the window to complete his move.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Steven Bisig
However, after concerns over his medical, the Toffees renegotiated a deal with the Ligue 1 outfit - resulting in the player himself actually rejecting a move to the Hill Dickinson.
As a result, a deal fell apart at the 11th hour and left Moyes’ men with just Barry as the only senior striking option until the January window at the very least.
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Most goals by CFs in Ligue 1 (2025/26)
Player
Esteban Lepaul
Joaquin Panichelli
Folarin Balogun
Odsonne Edouard
Lassine Sinayoko
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Bamba Dieng
Ousmane Dembele
His decision to remain in France could actually be a blessing in disguise for the Toffees, with the £45m fee mooted for his signature a figure that is way too expensive.
Balogun has only ever reached double figures in two of his six seasons as a professional, with the 25-year-old coming through the academy ranks at Arsenal.
He’s coming off the back of one of his best campaigns after netting 13 times, but he’s never actually netted in the Premier League - something which caused concern amongst the fanbase.
How Everton could land a bigger talent than Balogun
With the window now closed, Everton’s hopes of resurrecting a deal for the American international will have to wait until January - but the club should be looking elsewhere for targets.
Barry is set to lead the line for the months ahead after already netting in the Premier League during the opening day victory over Crystal Palace a couple of weeks ago.
Thierno Barry
The Frenchman also bagged a hat-trick during the Carabao Cup victory over Preston North End, with the 23-year-old the club’s leading scorer this campaign.
However, signing free agents could also be a possibility in the weeks ahead, with the Toffees seemingly exploring a move to land Argentine star Mauro Icardi.
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Journalist Christian Vaquero has claimed that Moyes men are set to enter talks with the player’s representatives in the coming days after being released by Galatasaray in June.
He claims that talks have yet to take place between the 33-year-old and the Toffees, but a deal could progress in the weeks ahead should negotiations advance.
The former PSG attacker may not be a player supporters are keen on, but he could certainly offer a valuable squad option for Moyes’ throughout the current campaign.
He would actually be a better addition than fellow target Balogun, with his stats from last season and his longevity at the top of the European game making him a bigger threat in attacking areas.
Previously heralded as "one of the best strikers in the world" by Gennaro Gattuso, the Argentine has enjoyed a 20 plus goal season five times in the last ten years. He really is one of the finest goalscorers we've seen in Europe in the last decade.
He's no slouch now either. Indeed, Icardi netted 14 goals in just 12 league starts for the Turkish outfit last campaign, subsequently making him a more clinical option than the American international in forward areas.
mauro-icardi-galatasaray-man-united
His 43% shot on target accuracy and average of 1.7 shots on target per 90 were both higher than those produced by Balogun - whilst also placing him in the top 9% of strikers in Europe.
The Argentine’s quality within the final third was further evident by his chance creation tally, which saw him provide 1.3 chances per 90 for those around him.
Such a figure was higher than that produced by Balogun, which also saw him better 25% of other centre-forwards across the continent for the 2025/26 campaign.
His 63% dribble success rate would hand Moyes’ side another direct option within forward areas, whilst handing Barry an experienced option to learn off on Merseyside.
A deal until the end of the current campaign could be a perfect deal for all parties, with the Argentine able to hand Moyes the added attacking quality he craves.
Missing out on a deal for Balogun may have been a bitter blow for the Toffees, but it could be a blessing in disguise if a deal can be agreed for Icardi’s signature.