Despite a lot of Everton fans voicing their concerns about their summer transfer activity, David Moyes has done a superb job in leading the club to a positive start to the 2026/27 campaign.
The Scotsman has avoided defeat in the Premier League and Carabao Cup to date, leading to a 7th place standing plus a fourth-round clash with Newcastle United in the League Cup.
Three clean sheets in five league outings have allowed the Toffees to boast one of the best defensive records out of the 20 teams currently in England’s top flight.
However, if the club are to maintain their dream start to the current campaign, it’s crucial that one area of the senior squad is bolstered in due course.
Why Everton desperately need a new striker
After Beto’s permanent departure to join Fiorentina during the closing stages of the window, it looked certain that Everton were going to land the signature of Folarin Balogun from AS Monaco.
A deal was in place with the French outfit to sign the American international, but a last-minute change of heart saw the £40m deal fall apart before the summer deadline.
As a result, Thierno Barry remains as Moyes’ only senior centre-forward option, with the 23-year-old in desperate need of support within forward areas on Merseyside.
He’s started the new campaign on fire after netting five times in his first seven games across all competitions, but he needs support if he’s to maintain such levels across the whole of 2026/27.
With the transfer market now closed until January 1st, any deal for a new talisman would have to be a free transfer – which has seen former Galatasaray man Mauro Icardi emerge as one option.
The 33-year-old is currently a free agent after leaving the Turkish giants at the end of last season despite netting an incredible 14 goals from his 12 Super Lig starts.
|
Mauro Icardi’s goals per season |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Club |
Total goals |
|
2018/19 |
Inter Milan |
17 |
|
2019/20 |
PSG |
20 |
|
2020/21 |
PSG |
13 |
|
2021/22 |
PSG |
5 |
|
2022/23 |
Galatasaray |
23 |
|
2023/24 |
Galatasaray |
32 |
|
2024/25 |
Galatasaray |
6 |
|
2025/26 |
Galatasaray |
16 |
His experience and quality within attacking areas would hand Moyes the added reinforcements he craves, whilst also handing Barry an established talent to learn off for his development.
How Everton can land a Richarlison upgrade
Despite the huge rumours of a deal to sign Icardi on a short-term contract, a host of the Everton faithful still remain confident of a possible return for former fan-favourite Richarlison.
It was reported on deadline day that talks with Tottenham Hotspur over a deal for the Brazilian were at an advanced stage, with Iliman Ndiaye moving in the opposite direction.
However, Manchester City’s hijack of the deal for the Senegalese international put the Angus Kinnear’s move on hold – ultimately failing to reach an agreement before the window shut.
The player himself has since posted about his desire to return to Merseyside on his own social media, but he’s not the player who’s appeared as a possible target of late.
It’s been claimed in recent weeks that £22m RB Leipzig striker Conrad Harder is another attacking option that the Toffees are considering ahead of the winter window.
The Danish international was hugely touted with a move to join Leeds United this summer, before linking up with French side Strasbourg on loan for the 2026/27 campaign.
However, despite his current temporary move in Ligue 1, a possible move to the Hill Dickinson has been mooted – which would see Moyes’ side land a bigger talent than Richarlison.
At just 21, he possesses a lot of potential, but the former Sporting CP talisman has already demonstrated his quality at the top level of the European game.
Last season, Harder only started eight games in the Bundesliga, but managed to register six combined goals and assists – subsequently achieving a better minutes-per-contribution record than the Brazilian.
His underlying stats also showcase his talent within attacking areas, with the Danish star managing to win more of his aerial duels whilst registering more headed shots on goal.
Both of the aspects are key components to the youngster’s playstyle, who’s not afraid to put himself about and bully the opposition’s defenders when needed.
Such quality will be music to the ears of current Everton boss Moyes, who often relies upon strikers who have an aerial presence to lead the line in forward areas.
Harder has even been able to provide opportunities for those around him within the final third, subsequently creating 1.4 chances per 90 last term – leading to Jacek Kulig labelling him as “phenomenal.”
Whilst many of the Toffees’ faithful will want a fairytale return for the Brazilian in the near future, there’s no denying better options are available in the market.
The Danish international is certainly just one player who could provide the quality needed and allow the supporters to finally put an end to the speculation of a move for the Spurs man.
