A look at the Everton centre-forward situation as new claims are made about Armando Broja and Dominic Calvert-Lewin
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Everton strikers Armando Broja, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Beto and Youssef Chermiti
Everton strikers Armando Broja, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Beto and Youssef Chermiti
For so long a problem position for Everton, David Moyes will finish the season spoilt for choice. But whether that remains the case going into the 2025-26 campaign remains very much to be seen.
Beto will end the season as the Blues' first-choice centre-forward after a run of seven goals in his last 16 appearance under returning Blues boss Moyes.
And while he did not score in Sunday's emotional Goodison Park farewell against Southampton - though it was not for the want of trying, seeing two efforts ruled out for offside - the improvement in his all-round game was clear for all to see.
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The fit-again Dominic Calvert-Lewin joined Beto up front in the closing stages and the two very nearly combined for what would have been the final goal in front of the Gwladys Street End.
Youssef Chermiti did not make it off the bench, though, while Armando Broja did not even make the squad, such is the number of strikers now available to Moyes.
But it would be fair to suggest there are question marks over the futures of all four.
Beto, given the huge strides he has made after making the most of Calvert-Lewin's injury in Moyes' third match back in charge, has been linked with a move to Premier League new boys Leeds United.
At one stage Everton may have been tempted to recoup some or most of the £26m fee they agreed with Udinese for his services in August 2023.
But recent comment suggests Beto has made a big impression on his new manager. "He's a great boy, I’ve got to say," said Moyes after the Guinea-Bissau international scored in the 3-1 win at Fulham.
"He practises like you can't believe to try and get better, which when you've got that, you know you've got something.
"He's incredibly humble. He is very honest with himself, which gives a manager a great chance to try to improve you.
"So I have to say he's doing great. He's got eight Premier League goals. I sort of said to him a couple of weeks ago, I said, ‘look, you might try and get 10’.
"If you think that he has not really played that much, he's only really come on the scene in January, so if he could get another two between now and the end of the season, it would have been a great run of goals for him in the second half of the season."
Beto will need to bag a brace at Newcastle United on Sunday to reach double figures in the Premier League but the final-day trip to St James' Park now looks unlikely to be his last appearance for the Blues.
But the same cannot be said of his rivals for a starting spot.
The i Paper have today reported that Everton will reject the chance of triggering the option in their loan agreement with Chelsea to sign Broja on a £30m permanent deal.
That comes as no surprise given the Albania international has failed to score in his injury-hit Goodison spell and after he produced an underwhelming performance when given a start in the 2-0 home loss to Manchester City last month.
Meanwhile, it has been reported elsewhere today, by Football Insider, that Calvert-Lewin is ready to take his time over deciding whether to remain at Everton.
The England international's contract runs out on June 30 and for a long time it appeared as if he was ready to call time on his nine years on Merseyside.
But Calvert-Lewin recently told BBC Sport: "With the new manager coming in the club is moving in the right direction, there's a new stadium and there's a lot to be positive about. Who wouldn't want to be part of that?
"There was a lot of uncertainty for a long time a little bit higher up and arguably the last three seasons have been the most difficult in Everton's Premier League history and I have been there leading the line through that.
"For me it's built a lot of experience, and I have a lot of fond memories. Everton will always be a place that is special to me, so we will see what happens."
The Blues have yet to comment on any negotiations with Calvert-Lewin, who has not been announced as one of the out-of-contract players who will be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
Chermiti, meanwhile, is under contract until 2027 but having been restricted to four cameo appearances off the bench under Moyes, a loan spell away from Everton may be the next step in the Portugal youth international's development.
The Blues, then, currently have one striker, at best, who seems to set to start next season in the club's magnificent and Hill Dickinson Stadium. It makes for an intriguing summer transfer window.