Everton’s failure to land Folarin Balogun on deadline day left David Moyes with unfinished business — and January will bring another major push for a striker.
A return for Balogun now appears unlikely, with BBC Radio Merseyside reporter Giulia Bould saying another attempt for the Monaco forward is “highly unlikely” and that she expects Everton to already be looking elsewhere. That opens the door to a fascinating list of alternatives.
Some have been watched by Everton, others were approached as the Balogun deal collapsed, and all five have previously been linked with the club. With Thierno Barry currently Moyes’s only recognised senior centre-forward, here are five names worth watching as January approaches.
Younes Ebnoutalib – the £50m Bundesliga option
Younes Ebnoutalib is arguably the most intriguing name on the list after Everton were credited with an interest in the 23-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt striker. His impressive start to the Bundesliga season has attracted attention, with reports suggesting his value could already be around £50m.
As we reported earlier this week, Ebnoutalib’s emergence has been rapid. He also fits the profile Everton have increasingly targeted under The Friedkin Group: young enough to improve considerably while retaining potential resale value.
The obvious problem is price, particularly if his form continues between now and January. Everton are unlikely to be the only club watching if Ebnoutalib maintains his current trajectory.
Conrad Harder – Everton still watching
Conrad Harder’s name hasn’t disappeared since the summer, with Everton continuing to be linked with the 21-year-old Denmark international. Harder is spending this season with Strasbourg after joining RB Leipzig and remains a player whose development is being watched closely.
He would represent a very different option to an experienced Premier League striker. Any move would be partly about what Harder could become, but that shouldn’t necessarily count against him given Everton’s recent willingness to invest heavily in younger players.
Everton have done their homework on Harder before and recent reports suggest the interest hasn’t gone away. If the striker search intensifies in January, he is one of the names already familiar to the recruitment team.
Troy Parrott – could Everton bring him back to England?
Former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott has rebuilt his career impressively since leaving English football, with his goals for AZ Alkmaar putting him back on Premier League radars. Everton have previously been linked with the Republic of Ireland international, who is still only 24 despite seemingly having been around for years.
Parrott would return to England a very different player from the youngster who struggled to establish himself at Spurs. Regular football in the Netherlands has given him the platform he needed, while his international performances have further enhanced his reputation.
For Everton, that combination could be attractive. Parrott is approaching his prime, already understands English football and would arrive with something still to prove in the Premier League.
Joshua Zirkzee – Everton already tried
There is considerably less guesswork involved with Joshua Zirkzee because Everton made a deadline-day attempt to sign the Manchester United forward after their pursuit of Balogun ran into trouble.
The proposed move didn’t happen, but the approach tells us something important about Everton’s thinking. Zirkzee was already considered a viable option by the club when they needed an alternative late in the window.
January circumstances can change quickly, particularly for players who aren’t guaranteed regular football. If Zirkzee’s situation leaves the door open again, Everton would already know the player and what he could offer Moyes.
Tammy Abraham – the proven alternative
Tammy Abraham was another striker Everton approached during that frantic deadline-day search after the Balogun deal began to unravel. Nothing could be completed, but the interest provides another established name to keep in mind when January arrives.
At 29, Abraham would represent a very different investment from Ebnoutalib or Harder. What he offers instead is considerable experience, including a proven record of scoring Premier League goals and spells at some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Whether the finances could work in January would be another question entirely. Everton’s deadline-day approach, however, means Abraham isn’t simply another striker being thrown into the transfer rumour mill.
Everton’s January striker decision
There is plenty of football to be played before the transfer window opens and no suggestion Everton are currently negotiating to sign any of these five players. What we do know is that the club wanted another striker before the summer window closed and ultimately couldn’t get one.
If Bould’s information is correct and Balogun is no longer a realistic option, Everton will have to look elsewhere. Ebnoutalib, Harder and Parrott offer younger routes, while Zirkzee and Abraham have something different in their favour: Everton have already explored signing them.
For Everton, the question may therefore be less about whether Moyes wants another centre-forward and more about which route the club chooses.
Five names already have Everton connections. January could tell us which, if any, comes back into play. We’ll see.
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