[Keith Wyness
Keith Wyness](https://www.footballinsider247.com/author/keith-wyness)
Everton are ultimately likely to miss out on qualifying for European football again this season if they do not sign a top-level striker in January.
That is according to former Toffees chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who feels that his former club are currently “like a bottom three team” in front of goal.
Thierno Barry is currently the only senior striker at the club, and already tops the entire Premier League for big chances missed so far this term.
Wyness believes that Everton’s lack of quality in the final third has already cost them “six points” so far this season, despite their largely positive start to the campaign.
Stuart Pearce initially suggested that David Moyes’ side are being held back by their lack of striking options on talkSPORT last week, and Wyness is in full agreement.
Everton are already sitting ninth in the Premier League table at the moment, but the battle for European football is expected to be decided by fine margins.
Everton have missed ‘glaring’ situation
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that the club’s striker issues were “glaring” for all to see in the final stages of the summer transfer window.
The Merseysiders sold Beto to Fiorentina on deadline day expecting Folarin Balogun to come in from Monaco, only for that deal to fall through in the final hours.
“I do agree actually. The stats agree as well because the number of chances created is like a top-level team and the trouble is we're missing the chances like a bottom three team,” he said.
“So as we mentioned before, we're getting in the right place; we're missing the chances. So that top striker could well be the difference.
“In some of the games we've seen this season, I can guarantee we’ve dropped six points already from chances that a striker would normally have put away. So yes, I think we're a striker away.
“It's been a glaring situation. We knew it in the window. The Balogun situation didn't quite happen as we came up to midnight. But Pearce is right. There's a lot to be liked about Everton's play right now, but we are missing that striker.”
Everton tracking 38-goal frontman
Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Everton are keeping tabs on Dinamo Zagreb frontman Dion Beljo with the view to making a move in January.
However, sources say that they are in a “strong position” to fight off interest in Beljo this winter, as they have him tied down to a long-term contract.
Nevertheless, Everton are prepared to battle for signature of the Croatia international, who already has 12 goals from just eight league games so far this term.