Karim Benzema
Everton continued an unbeaten start to the season with a point at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday evening, in what has been a very solid start to the campaign for David Moyes.
The results on the pitch are papering over the cracks exposed by what was a torrid summer window on Merseyside. Those transfer failings centred on attacking options, with Beto and Iliman Ndiaye leaving on Deadline Day without a replacement being signed.
As good as results have been, a lack of potency is beginning to emerge. Thierno Barry has been in fine form with four goals in his first two fixtures - but has not hit the back of the net in his last three.
The 23-year-old cannot be expected to carry the Everton goalscoring burden and Moyes has been outspoken with his desire to look at the free agent market. There are some high profile centre-forwards currently without a club, but who could Everton feasibly sign?
Ranked: Which strikers can Everton feasibly sign from free agent market?
Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema's Text Message to Cristiano Ronaldo After Al-Hilal Transfer
There have been some speculative links between Karim Benzema and Everton. It's easy to understand why, with the 38-year-old the most prolific of the currently available free agents in the striker position.
Alan Brazil was one of the first pundits to tout a speculative move to Merseyside. When asked if the ex Real Madrid man could do the job for the Toffees, he told talkSPORT: "I've not seen him [Benzema] for a while, but as a stop-gap, yes. You can't just have one striker."
The five-time Champions League winner and former France international has never played in the Premier League, and a debut in the top flight as he nears his 40th birthday would be a sensational story.
Benzema scored 25 goals across all competitions for Saudi side Al-Ittihad last season and isn't ready to hang up the boots yet, linked with a move to Barcelona this summer. However, lofty wage demands would surely be too steep of a mountain for Everton to climb.
Feasibility ranking - 2/10
Joselu
Another La Liga veteran without a club is Joselu. The Spanish journeyman is also a free agent following time in Saudi Arabia, leaving Al-Gharafa in the summer following two years with the side.
Eintracht Frankfurt were reportedly looking at offering the striker a deal at the end of August, in what would have been a reunion with the player having spent a successful 2013/14 season on loan at the German side. Union Berlin, Lazio, Valencia and Sevilla were all also linked.
Joselu managed 10 goals in 23 outings last season and would demand lower wages than Benzema. A Premier League debut at 36 years old does, however, seem unlikely.
Feasibility ranking - 3/10
Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling was released by Feyenoord after just eight games in three months, having joined in February. The 31-year-old is currently making more headlines over a dangerous driving charge, rather than a hungry search for a new club.
Sterling is still just 31 years old and would offer Premier League experience to David Moyes, which is something that the likes of Joselu and Benzema do not. The winger's injury record and lack of match fitness is somewhat of a worry, but he would bring a potentially valuable versatility to the squad.
Before joining Feyenoord, Sterling was reportedly in talks with Everton over a move to the Hill Dickinson, which could add some weight to any potential rumours.
Feasibility ranking - 5/10
Mauro Icardi
via Reuters
Mauro Icardi is another striker well revered for his successes on the continent, but he has never made an appearance in the Premier League. The 33-year-old is a free agent following his departure from Galatasaray.
The forward enjoyed a thoroughly successful three years in Turkey, scoring 77 goals for the side, and earning praise from manager Okan Buruk for how he helped teammates improve their game.
Intriguingly, it had been claimed that Icardi has been 'offered' to Everton and is open to the move, despite no formal negotiations yet taking place. Should Everton want the former Paris Saint-German bagsman, Icardi's willingness could help a deal be struck.
Feasibility ranking - 6/10
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Fees correct prior to summer 2026
Anthony Martial
Where rumours over the futures of the likes of Icardi and Joselu are murmurs, it does seem only a matter of time before Anthony Martial signs with a new club. La Liga outfit Malaga are current frontrunners to offer the striker a lifeline.
Everton had been linked with the Frenchman after Deadline Day after failing to sign Balogun. Martial has 63 Premier League goals to his name, but has not featured in the top flight since December 2023, with spells at AEK Athens and Monterrey since leaving Manchester United in 2024.
Feasibility ranking - 7/10
Tottenham Hotspur's Mateus Fernandes and manager Roberto De Zerbi look dejected
Tottenham Hotspur's Mateus Fernandes and manager Roberto De Zerbi look dejected