EVERTON MOYES
EVERTON MOYES
Everton’s striker problem can be summed up by one name: Thierno Barry.
Well, the Frenchman himself isn't their problem per se, but being the only recognised senior centre forward in David Moyes’ limited squad certainly is.
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An injury, suspension or loss of form would leave Everton forced to improvise in one of the most important positions on the pitch, and that is a perilous situation for any Premier League side.
Beto joined Fiorentina before Everton had completed another striker deal, and their plans then unravelled in the final hours of the window.
A £40 million move for Folarin Balogun collapsed after concerns emerged during his medical, and while Everton ultimately wanted to continue with the transfer, Monaco's forward then decided not to sign and left their training ground.
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|Free agents Everton could still sign|
|Player|Age|Last club|What he could offer Everton|Assessment|
|---|
|Anthony Martial|30|Monterrey|Premier League experience, pace and the ability to play centrally or from the left|The most obvious option and the only player with reported Everton contact, but his fitness and recent form are concerns|
|Joselu|36|Al-Gharafa|Aerial strength, hold-up play and a reliable presence inside the penalty area|Arguably the best stylistic fit for David Moyes, although his age makes him a short-term solution|
|Danny Ings|34|Sheffield United|Extensive English experience, intelligent movement and homegrown status|A straightforward emergency option, but injuries and declining output count against him|
|Mauro Icardi|33|Galatasaray|The strongest natural finisher still available and a proven penalty-box striker|The best player on the realistic shortlist, but wages and his likely expectations make a deal difficult|
|Ihlas Bebou|32|Hoffenheim|Speed, pressing and versatility across the frontline|An athletic alternative who could suit a counter-attacking role, subject to a thorough fitness assessment|
|Andrea Belotti|32|Cagliari|Physical effort, aggression and experience leading the line|A recognised name, but his goalscoring form has fallen sharply in recent seasons|
|Karim Benzema|38|Al-Hilal|Elite technique, finishing and leadership|Technically available but not a realistic Everton deal because of his age, likely demands and complicated image-rights position|
Efforts to borrow Joshua Zirkzee and Tammy Abraham also failed, leaving Barry to carry the load alone.
The sale of Iliman Ndiaye to Man City removed yet another major source of goals and attacking quality, and Moyes has since confirmed Everton are studying the free agent market, since it is now the only way to add a striker before January.
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The club have been offered Anthony Martial and held brief discussions over the former Man United forward, according to reports in both England and France.
Jamie Vardy was also considered before joining Burnley, while Jordan Ayew ended Everton's hopes of signing him by sealing a move to Sheffield United.
Everton must look beyond the lack of a transfer fee, as signing bonuses, salary demands and fitness levels can make a free agent expensive, while Moyes also needs somebody capable of contributing immediately.
David-Moyes
One of Europe’s most prolific available strikers has now reportedly moved to the front of their search.
Everton now favourites to sign ex-PSG and Inter Milan star Mauro Icardi
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Indeed, TyC Sports now claim that Everton are the favourites to sign Mauro Icardi, who has been without a club since leaving Galatasaray in July.
Atlético Mineiro have entered the contest and view Icardi as an alternative to Richarlison, while São Paulo and Vasco have also made enquiries, although neither Brazilian club is said to have made meaningful progress.
Lazio remain in the background, but Everton’s interest is described as the most concrete.
No talks have been reported just yet and there is no suggestion that a contract has been offered either, but being named as the leading contenders by an Argentine news outlet gives Everton supporters a new reason to watch the story closely.
What Mauro Icardi could bring to Everton
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Mauro Icardi in action for Galatasaray.
Icardi, 33, would arrive with a remarkable scoring record.
He has registered exactly 250 senior club goals, including 11 for Sampdoria, 124 for Inter Milan, 38 for PSG and 77 for Galatasaray, scoring 16 times during his final season in Turkey after returning from a serious knee injury.
Icardi’s status at Galatasaray went far beyond his stats, helping the Istanbul club win four successive league titles and becoming their highest scoring foreign player.
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Mauro Icardi in action for Galatasaray.
Okan Buruk made his feelings clear while managing the Argentine, branding Icardi a “special player” during the striker’s final season and later described him as a “football icon” who had written his name into Galatasaray history.
Icardi is a specialist penalty area striker whose movement and finishing could give Moyes something different from Barry.
There would still be risks given he's never played in the Premier League, his recent knee injury requires consideration and his wages could be substantial.
If the finances and medical checks satisfy Moyes, a proven striker with 250 goals could turn a desperate free agent search into a potential statement.
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