Everton are seeking to replicate the transfer success Brentford had with Igor Thiago, as the Toffees eye a new striker this summer.
It’s been a great season for Everton, but there has been one long-standing issue during this campaign.
And that is that goals from the strikers have been in short supply.
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Ivan Toney of Al Ahli celebrates after scoring the 2nd goal during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Ahli and Al Nassr
Credit: Getty Images/Yasser Bakhsh
Beto and Thierno Barry have done OK. But neither have pulled up trees.
Certainly, given the pair cost a combined £57 million, a return of 12 goals so far is disappointing.
Everton are looking to build a squad that will help them become one of the ‘challenger clubs’ to the top sides in the Premier League.
And it is vital to have a striker who is prolific in order to achieve that.
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So Everton will make that a priority this summer – and the deal done by Brentford for Igor Thiago last summer will serve as their inspiration.
Everton want their very own Igor Thiago
The Daily Mail have produced an interesting article around Everton’s exciting rise under The Friedkin Group so far.
The picture really has changed for the better since they came aboard in late 2024, and the current trajectory is exciting.
In the report, there is mention of Everton’s intentions for the summer ahead, and a new striker is high on the agenda.
And there’s an interesting line that reads: “There is an acceptance that a new striker is a priority area, and much of the focus will be around ensuring next season he has more firepower at his disposal, although the recent upturns in the form of Thierno Barry and Beto have not gone unnoticed.
Igor Thiago playing for Brazil.
Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
“The hope is to replicate what Brentford have done with Igor Thiago, a £30m signing from Club Brugge who has scored 19 goals in 31 Premier League starts this season.”
Thiago has been something of a revelation for the Bees in their unlikely push for European football under Keith Andrews.
He’s currently second only to Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot, and recently got his first call-up to the senior Brazil squad. He made his debut against France, before then scoring his first goal on his second appearance against Croatia.
It was bold of Brentford to fork out £30 million for someone playing in the Belgian top-flight. And initially it looked like it may have been money wasted, with Thiago suffering a bad injury in his first season with the Bees that limited him to just eight appearances.
But he came back very strong this season and has really turned heads.
The Belgian top-flight is not considered one of football’s top leagues. But Thiago is proof that there is still value to be had outside the main divisions.
Seemingly, Everton are ready to tap into that this summer.
Food for thought for Thierno Barry and Beto
It is really interesting to see that Everton are looking at that Thiago deal as something to replicate.
Thiago has a similar physical profile to Barry and Beto. So if the Toffees are targeting that kind of profile, then it suggests that one of these two players could be sold.
At the moment, Beto is in better form, so perhaps Barry has work to do if he is to remain at the club.
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