Beto hasn't always been in the good books at Everton, but he was certainly lauded as a last-gasp hero on the Toffees' travels to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
Indeed, the ex-Udinese striker, who had only scored one goal across his last ten Premier League outings for David Moyes' men, remained calm under pressure to slot home a 97th-minute equaliser, prompting the Glaswegian to hail him as a "great" presence to have on his side.
Despite Beto's valiant moment on the South Coast, Everton are still on the hunt for attacking reinforcements, as we edge ever closer to tomorrow's nervy deadline.
Everton in advanced talks to sign Premier League youngster
The Merseyside giants have been routinely linked with strikers all January long.
Persistent rumours have suggested that the Toffees were looking to sign Fenerbahce forward Youssef En-Nesryi this month, but nothing has been wrapped up as of yet.
Youssef En-Nesyri-1
Instead, it looks as if the attacking addition that ticks all the boxes for Moyes and Co is Chelsea's Tyrique George, with one Everton-based insider revealing that the Premier League outfit is now in advanced negotiations about securing a last-gasp move for the 19-year-old.
The final decision is in George's court, as Sunderland have also been named as being rumoured to be keen on the London-born sensation, but it is stated that an agreement is close between Chelsea and Everton for the teenager.
tyrique-george-chelsea
Indeed, Fabrizio Romano has further revealed that a deal is now close for the winger.
How George is very similar to Ndiaye
If Everton were to pick up George right at the death, Moyes' men could be about to win a star who is very similar to Iliman Ndiaye, with the Chelsea number 32 hoping to be taken to that next level at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, much like the once wide-eyed 25-year-old.
iliman-ndiaye-everton
Before adjusting to becoming a Premier League regular on Merseyside, Ndiaye would initially arrive at Everton as somewhat of a gamble.
On his entrance in 2024, the Senegal international would only have one Premier League appearance in his pocket for Sheffield United. Regardless, the Toffees knew they were in for a treat with the 25-year-old if he could live up to his promise at the Blades, with 22 goals and 14 assists coming his way in South Yorkshire as a tricky, hard-to-predict attacker.
He has since become a force to be reckoned with in the top-flight under Moyes' wing, with Everton-based writer Lyndon Lloyd right to hail the slick number ten for having "magic in his boots" when pulling off audacious solo strikes like his effort against Sunderland back in November.
Now, he is up to 15 goals and two assists for the Toffees from 52 appearances, playing all across the forward positions, with George desperate to have a similar breakout moment if he were to swap West London for Merseyside shortly, as an equally hard-to-pin-down attacker on his day.
Despite limited senior opportunities at his boyhood club, George has been noted as being a "special" talent for the Blues by scout Jacek Kulig, with his deflected effort against Ajax earlier in the season just one of three goals the 19-year-old has managed to smash home, all from only 492 minutes of action.
If given plenty more gametime at Everton, it's frightening to think what level the raw, yet "top-class" attacker could get to - as Liam Rosenior recently complimented him - as the England U21 international potentially transforms himself into a recognised top-flight talent, like Ndiaye.
George's career numbers by position
Position
LW
CF
RW
AM
LM
RM
CM
He's certainly as versatile as the one-time Marseille man, with six goal contributions falling into his lap from 11 career games as a centre-forward, even giving Beto a possible run of his money.
But, with Jack Grealish sidelined for some time down the left wing, which is his preferred position, George has the chance to make a spot in the Toffees' attack all his own, with Ndiaye more than comfortable at operating down the opposing channel.
Tyrique-George
George would hope his entry into the Everton first team picture would coincide with Moyes' side pushing even further up the Premier League standings, with both the London-born winger and Ndiaye at the Scotsman's disposal, a tantalising prospect.
Everton's James Garner during the warm up before the match Related
[Shades of Garner: Everton submit bid for "special" Grealish replacement](https://www.footballfancast.com/moyes-new-garner-everton-open-talks-grealish-replacement-george/ "Shades of Garner: Everton submit bid for "special" Grealish replacement")
Everton need to replace Jack Grealish after the Three Lions star suffered a potentially season-ending injury.