IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Kiyoshi Mio
Everton face a big decision as to whether they will look to bring in a free-agent striker in the next days or weeks, or rely on Thierno Barry to take them through until the January transfer window.
Everton fans won't need reminding about the end of the summer transfer window, which saw them sell Beto to Fiorentina and then fail to bring any of Folarin Balogun, Richarlison, Tammy Abraham or Joshua Zirkzee to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, despite varying interest and offers.
The Toffees are clearly short of back-up options to Barry, with 18-year-old Braiden Graham named on the substitutes' bench for the 2-2 draw against Manchester United last time out.
Goals from Tyrique George and Ainsley Maitland-Niles rescued a draw for the Merseyside outfit, and David Moyes must decide whether his team are capable of replicating that throughout the campaign, or if they need more help in attack with a free transfer addition.
The Toffees have been linked with moves for the likes of Jamie Vardy, Karim Benzema and Anthony Martial, who they were offered the chance to sign, according to GMS sources, but the former has already joined Burnley in the Championship.
Another high-profile name Everton are said to have been offered the chance to sign is Mauro Icardi, following his exit from Galatasaray at the end of his contract.
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Icardi Record for Galatasaray
Games
Goals
Assists
The Argentine had a really impressive record for the Turkish giants during his time in Galatasaray and, according to TEAMtalk, would be open to joining the Merseysiders as he weighs up his next move.
The 33-year-old has also played for Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain during a successful goalscoring career, but has been renowned for off-the-pitch dramas too.
Icardi Would be Bargain Balogun Upgrade
via Reuters
It's no secret that Icardi would likely bring off-pitch distractions with him if he did join Everton, given his well-publicised divorce proceedings and other issues, including alleged unpaid rent in Istanbul.
However, that needs to be weighed up with what he has proven he can provide in the final third for every top club he has been at.
He may be entering the latter stages of his career, but he still scored 14 goals in 47 games for Galatasaray last term, and he clearly knows where the goal is.
His striker teammate at the Turkish giants, Victor Osimhen, certainly loved playing with the South American.
“When he did that dribble, it was like, ‘That is my captain.’ When he did that, I knew either he was going to go for goal himself because I didn’t see Kaan Ayhan approaching at first, as I was celebrating Icardi’s dribble past two players."
If Icardi could bring in 10 Premier League goals for the Toffees this season, it could prove to be priceless in their bid to push up the table and try and qualify for Europe.
Everton were ready to pay £40m for Balogun and came close to a deal, and he may have been the right option over the longer-term.
However, even though the American has an impressive record in France and for the USA, it does feel like Icardi is more of a guarantee right now than the 25-year-old, who Arsenal deemed not good enough after 10 appearances in a red shirt.