James Rodriguez
Everton striker Thierno Barry is riding a wave of hype following a splendid start to the season, but the 23-year-old's fine form in front of the goal will not paper over the cracks in the Toffees squad for long.
A thoroughly unimpressive end to the transfer window saw David Moyes lose the services of Beto and Iliman Ndiaye on Deadline Day, with a swoop for Monaco star Folarin Balogun collapsing after a debacle surrounding the medical.
Everton have just one centre-forward available in Barry and, while the player looks reborn this term, Moyes is just one injury away from a striker crisis. Could veteran Mauro Icardi be the answer?
Everton target Mauro Icardi in striker search
via Reuters
Moyes has made it no secret that the club is browsing the free agent market to remedy the poor window. The Scotsman said: "We are looking at the free agents market. I am trying to get a team that is going to be at the top end and challenge. I want the players to believe that we are moving forward – for me, that is really important."
GiveMeSport this week carried reports that Icardi could be a target. The 33-year-old is unattached following his departure from Galatasaray.
On a surface level, it's perhaps a deal that doesn't fill Toffees supporters with excitement. Icardi's best years are past him and there's no guarantee that his performances in the Turkish league would translate to the Premier League. However, Everton have benefited from this sort of transfer before.
Everton target has hallmarks of James Rodriguez move
Ancelotti convinced Rodriguez to join Everton
When James Rodriguez arrived at Everton from Real Madrid, he had endured an injury-blighted season on loan at Bayern Munich and a campaign frozen out at Real Madrid. The transfer was a punt, and it paid off.
The move was not only fruitful for Everton because of the six goals and five assists the player contributed in his debut campaign at Goodison Park, but also the uplift that adding an experienced player carries with it.
Shortly after James arrived on Merseyside, Richarlison said: “The arrival of James was very important. When I found out he was coming, I was very happy because the team needed a player with James’ qualities, that’s always good and I think he will help us a lot this season.
“In the first game, he showed all the quality of the player that he is, as well as the other signings, so he has everything to make a very good season and help us a lot.”
Mauro Icardi 'made people Galatasaray fans'
That is something that Icardi could provide. The former Argentina international previously won two Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain, is a former Serie A Footballer of the Year and has 35 Champions League appearances to his name.
On top of the impact on teammates, Icardi has still been finding the back of the net at Galatasaray. The striker scored 16 times across all competitions last season, with a total of 77 goals for the Turkish side since arriving in 2022.
Speaking about the type of impact the player had when arriving as a newcomer, Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk explained: "Icardi is not a player to be easily given up on, and Icardi is not a player to be easily dismissed.
"Icardi, in the center forward position, is a player who plays with his talent, knowledge, experience, and intelligence, rather than just his physical build.
"He is an important person for us, for me, for Galatasaray. He is our team captain. We entrust the captaincy to Icardi. He is the one who manages things internally, who is in charge of the team. We can say how important and valuable Icardi is in this way."
It would certainly be another James-sized punt for Everton, but it's hard not to be swayed by the words of Buruk.