Everton Transfer Latest as David Moyes Left Short in Striker Search

Everton appear set to resist the free-agent market despite an alarming shortage in attack, with TeamTalk reporting that the club will instead wait until January to address the problem properly. It is a decision that leaves David Moyes walking a narrow line in the months ahead, particularly after a bruising end to the transfer window.

The central issue is straightforward. Everton moved Beto on to Fiorentina and failed to secure a replacement before the deadline shut. Their biggest push was for Folarin Balogun, with a £40m deal agreed with Monaco, only for the move to collapse late on. TeamTalk states the striker had a “last-minute change of heart” and “decided against signing a contract”, yet the situation appears to have been more complicated than that.

Monaco’s hierarchy insisted there was “no problem” with Balogun’s medical. However, the report says sources close to Everton believe there was “an issue serious enough to raise serious concerns”. Whatever the precise truth, the outcome is the same, Everton missed their main target and were left scrambling.

Balogun collapse leaves Everton exposed

In the aftermath, Everton turned to Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee with what was described as an “emergency offer”. That approach was “swiftly rejected”, underlining how little room for manoeuvre remained by that stage. Once that avenue closed, Everton were effectively boxed in.

The result is that Moyes now has “just one recognised striker to call upon – Thierno Barry”. For a Premier League season, that is a high-risk position for any club to accept. Injuries, suspension, dips in form and fixture congestion can all turn a shortage into a full-blown crisis very quickly.

There are free agents available, including Anthony Martial, who is said to be open to returning to the Premier League. Yet the current plan is clear, Everton “are not currently planning to sign any free agents, and will rely on the striker option(s) they have until January”. That is a major call from the recruitment team and one that will be tested immediately.

Thierno Barry, Brennan Johnson and Tyrique George options

If Barry is unavailable, Everton will have to improvise. Brennan Johnson is viewed internally as a possible answer. The Wales international has made 55 career appearances as a centre-forward and scored 22 goals, with TeamTalk adding “there is a belief internally at Everton that Johnson could be effective up front if called upon”. It is a useful option, although clearly not the same as having a specialist No 9 leading the line every week.

Tyrique George is also part of the thinking. The 20-year-old played as a striker eight times for Chelsea and scored twice. He offers versatility and energy, but asking a young player to help solve a Premier League goals issue would be a significant demand.

The hope inside Everton is that “Barry, Johnson and George” can cover the position until the winter window opens. It is understandable planning on one level, but also difficult to frame as anything other than reactive after such a chaotic finish to the summer.

Everton squad depth raises concern before January window

What sharpens the concern is the wider context around the squad. TeamTalk describes the failure to replace Beto as “a major failure”, and it is hard to argue with that assessment. Everton have also lost Iliman Ndiaye, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Tim Iroegbunam, Dwight McNeil, Seamus Coleman, Adam Aznou and Nathan Patterson. New arrivals including Jack Grealish, Merlin Rohl, Hayden Hackney, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Christian Norgaard add quality and depth in certain areas, but centre-forward remains the glaring weakness.

Moyes now heads into the season with pressure already building. According to the report, “Moyes now has a major challenge on his hands to match the fans’ expectations this season”, while “serious questions begin to emerge over The Friedkin Group’s long-term commitment to the club”. That combination, poor squad balance, supporter frustration and uncertainty above, creates an uncomfortable backdrop.

Our View

From an Everton perspective, this feels painfully familiar. The club have knowingly allowed a situation to develop where one injury could derail the entire attacking plan. Selling Beto before securing a replacement was reckless, full stop. If Balogun was the priority, fine, go and get it done. If there were medical concerns, fair enough, walk away. But how do Everton then end the window with no proven alternative in place?

Relying on makeshift options until January is not bold strategy, it is damage limitation. Barry may have talent, Johnson may fill in, George may help, but asking them to carry the burden through a long Premier League run is asking for trouble. Supporters have every right to be angry because this was avoidable.

There is also a bigger frustration here. Everton fans can accept missing out on a target. What they struggle to accept is a lack of planning. A club with Premier League ambitions should never look this unprepared on deadline day. The reference to “serious questions” around The Friedkin Group’s commitment will resonate too, because supporters want reassurance through action, not vague promises about fixing things in January.

If Everton start slowly, this issue will dominate every conversation around Goodison Park. Moyes will be left to patch things together, and while he has experience, he should not have been put in this position. The squad looks lighter, the margin for error looks smaller, and the frustration among the fanbase feels completely justified.