Romelu Lukaku playing for Everton (left), Dion Brena Beljo playing for Croatia (right)
Credit: Clive Brunskill/JORGE GUERRERO / AFP via Getty Images
Everton have never really replaced Romelu Lukaku since he left almost 10 years ago, but new transfer target Dion Drena Beljo might be a close answer.
It is anticipated that Everton will go after a striker in January to hand Thierno Barry some support, after the Frenchman was left as the only recognised number nine at the end of the summer transfer window.
Earlier this week, Everton were linked with a move for Dion Drena Beljo, who has been impressing over at Dinamo Zagreb.
His 31-goal season has placed several sides on alert, including Everton, who might just find their 2026 version of Romelu Lukaku in the Croatian.
What’s your honest position on Thierno Barry at the moment? 10 big chances missed in the PL, but six goals across all competitions. It's fair to say he divides opinion at Everton, but Dewsbury-Hall is a fan…👀
Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse/Gary Oakley – Everton FC/Everton FC
He's raw but there's something there. Just needs to start converting a few more chances. Great finish the other night
I like him. The most worrying thing would be if he wasn’t getting chances. Facts are, he is often in the right position and never gives up Too hugely important attributes. I just hope the third - finishing - comes soon
Surely the issue is not Thierno Barry but simply that there is no viable alternative
Dion Drena Beljo could be Everton’s new Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku was obviously an outstanding striker during his time at Everton, and someone most Premier League defenders feared coming up against. The Belgian combined pace, power and deadly finishing to really set himself apart from most others.
It has proven to be a very difficult task replacing him for Everton – but with Beljo there are some similarities.
Beljo stands at 6ft 5in tall which is actually a couple of inches taller than Lukaku, and the pair are both left-footed.
They have similar play styles. At Everton, Lukaku was known for dropping into the channels or pulling off the shoulder of the last defender to get a shot away, and linking up well with his teammates. As physically imposing as he was, Lukaku didn’t always use his frame to bully opposition defenders – he was more technical than he got credit for.
Beljo is not dissimilar. He uses body feints to buy space, and is actually fairly good in tight spaces, as Lukaku was.
Although there’s a temptation for players to send high balls to him because of his height, the Croatian prefers the ball to feet, which was again a trait of Lukaku.
Then there is the finishing side of things. With 31 goals in 2025/26, it’s clear that Beljo knows where the net is, and some of his finishes in the campaign were excellent. There was a lot of variety, from first-time finishes to jinking runs that ended with a driven effort into the corner, to headers.
Everton are among several PL clubs interested in Dinamo Zagreb striker Dion Beljo ahead of January The 24y/o Croatian international has scored 12 goals in his last 14 games From @GraemeBailey / @TEAMtalk ⤵️ #EFC https://t.co/hk6pdwg6dS
— Harry Watkinson (@HJWatkinson) October 13, 2026
It’ll be interesting to see if Everton do make a move. Barry, as well as he’s doing, obviously needs support right now and Beljo could not only provide that, but also be a big hit with the fans.
Big Toffees strikers have been fairly popular down the years. Lukaku, Beto to a degree, Duncan Ferguson. Evertonians can get behind a big man up top and Beljo does seem like he could be the latest if the club decided to make a move.
Lukaku remains arguably the best striker Everton have had in the Premier League era and attempts to properly replace him up to now have been unsuccessful. But Beljo might just be up to the task.