Every summer it feels as though Everton are being linked with a new striker to try and spearhead their attack to mount a push for a place in the Premier League’s top half.
Beto and Thierno Barry were the Toffees’ main centre-forward options in 2025/26 and have continued to share the role during the early stages of the new campaign.
The aforementioned duo did manage to combine for 17 league goals last term, but it wasn’t enough to fire David Moyes’ men into a battle for the European spots.
As a result, the hierarchy have been hard at work in recent weeks, which has seen a move for one former player becoming a distinct possibility in recent days.
How Richarlison could solve Everton’s centre-forward woes
Sunday morning was a frantic period for all those associated with Everton Football Club, as numerous pieces of key transfer business emerged from Merseyside.
First, it was confirmed that Harrison Armstrong would be staying at the Hill Dickinson, after the hierarchy pulled the plug on a deal after seeing the reaction from supporters at Bournemouth on Saturday.
It was also confirmed that a deal had been agreed between the Toffees and Tottenham Hotspur for winger Iliman Ndiaye to move to the Lilywhites, with Richarlison moving in the opposite direction plus £25m.
Such a move will see the Brazilian return to Merseyside for a second spell, after he registered 53 goals in his 152 senior appearances between 2018 and 2022.
His move to the capital certainly hasn’t worked as many expected, but the 29-year-old still managed to deliver in key moments last season as the Lilywhites fought off relegation.
He netted 11 times in the Premier League last term – the highest of any player at Spurs and Everton – which could see him become Moyes’ number one striking option.
|
Tottenham’s top PL goalscorers (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Tally |
|
Richarlison |
11 |
|
Joao Palhinha |
5 |
|
Cristian Romero |
4 |
|
Mathys Tel |
4 |
|
Micky van de Ven |
4 |
|
Dominic Solanke |
3 |
|
Archie Gray |
2 |
|
Mohammed Kudus |
2 |
His arrival will undoubtedly inject a needed sense of optimism back into the Everton fanbase, with the player himself keen to make a move back to Merseyside.
How Everton can land an instant Richarlison upgrade
Despite the pending move for Richarlison, Everton are still on the hunt for added attacking reinforcements to bolster Moyes’ ranks for the 2026/27 campaign.
Talks have recently been held between the Toffees and Manchester City over the possibility of securing another loan move for winger Jack Grealish after his temporary spell last term.
He’s not the only player who’s emerged as a key target in recent days, with AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun emerging as another transfer target before Tuesday’s deadline.
It’s been reported by journalist Sacha Tavolieri that Everton have submitted a low £15m offer to prise the American away from the principality in the final couple of days of the transfer window.
The Toffees will be booster in their efforts to sign the player as he specifically wants to join the club and has already agreed personal terms.
One sticking point could be the price tag. Indeed, he was valued at £41m earlier this summer, far above Everton’s opening offer.
Balogun is a player who could well hand the club the attacking quality they have been hunting for, even if a deal for Richarlison is completed in the days ahead.
When comparing their respective stats from last season, the American international dominated in key areas and highlighted why he’s a class above the Brazilian international.
The former Arsenal star netted an impressive tally of 13 goals in Ligue 1 last campaign, a figure which Richarlison was unable to match in the Premier League.
Along with his increased goal tally, the American international achieved a better shot on target accuracy rate, whilst also placing a higher percentage of his efforts on target.
Such numbers showcase his ability to provide the goods within attacking areas, with Everton a side who have been far too wasteful in front of goal in recent seasons.
Balogun also managed to create more chances within the final third last campaign, which in turn could allow those around him in Merseyside to increase their own tallies.
He’s even taken his goalscoring feats onto the international stage, as he scored three times at the World Cup – which saw compatriot Joze Altidore labelling him as “world-class.”
It’s clear Moyes and the hierarchy believe the forward line is in need of added attacking reinforcements before the window closes – as seen by their latest dealings.
However, if the club are to mount a serious charge for the top half throughout the 2026/27 season, the board should desperately be looking to prioritise a move for Balogun over Richarlison.
