Published Sep 10, 2026, 12:20 PM GMT+1

Emilio is an experienced football journalist who has worked at Football FanCast for over six years, specialising in transfer analysis, Premier League reporting and the business of football.
 

After graduating with first-class honours from the University of Central Lancashire in 2019, it didn't take long for Emilio to begin his journalism career at Snack Media, now Valnet.
 

Emilio has a particular interest in football finance, recruitment and the business behind the modern game. In his spare time, you can find Emilio travelling the world, or even in a boxing ring.

Well, the Frenchman himself isn't their problem per se, but being the only recognised senior centre forward in David Moyes’ limited squad certainly is.

An injury, suspension or loss of form would leave Everton forced to improvise in one of the most important positions on the pitch, and that is a perilous situation for any Premier League side.

Beto joined Fiorentina before Everton had completed another striker deal, and their plans then unravelled in the final hours of the window.

A £40 million move for Folarin Balogun collapsed after concerns emerged during his medical, and while Everton ultimately wanted to continue with the transfer, Monaco's forward then decided not to sign and left their training ground.

Efforts to borrow Joshua Zirkzee and Tammy Abraham also failed, leaving Barry to carry the load alone.

The sale of Iliman Ndiaye to Man City removed yet another major source of goals and attacking quality, and Moyes has since confirmed Everton are studying the free agent market, since it is now the only way to add a striker before January.

The club have been offered Anthony Martial and held brief discussions over the former Man United forward, according to reports in both England and France.

Jamie Vardy was also considered before joining Burnley, while Jordan Ayew ended Everton's hopes of signing him by sealing a move to Sheffield United.

Everton must look beyond the lack of a transfer fee, as signing bonuses, salary demands and fitness levels can make a free agent expensive, while Moyes also needs somebody capable of contributing immediately.

One of Europe’s most prolific available strikers has now reportedly moved to the front of their search.

Everton now favourites to sign ex-PSG and Inter Milan star Mauro Icardi

Indeed, TyC Sports now claim that Everton are the favourites to sign Mauro Icardi, who has been without a club since leaving Galatasaray in July.

Atlético Mineiro have entered the contest and view Icardi as an alternative to Richarlison, while São Paulo and Vasco have also made enquiries, although neither Brazilian club is said to have made meaningful progress.

Lazio remain in the background, but Everton’s interest is described as the most concrete.

No talks have been reported just yet and there is no suggestion that a contract has been offered either, but being named as the leading contenders by an Argentine news outlet gives Everton supporters a new reason to watch the story closely.

What Mauro Icardi could bring to Everton

Icardi, 33, would arrive with a remarkable scoring record.

He has registered exactly 250 senior club goals, including 11 for Sampdoria, 124 for Inter Milan, 38 for PSG and 77 for Galatasaray, scoring 16 times during his final season in Turkey after returning from a serious knee injury.

Icardi’s status at Galatasaray went far beyond his stats, helping the Istanbul club win four successive league titles and becoming their highest scoring foreign player.

Okan Buruk made his feelings clear while managing the Argentine, branding Icardi a “special player” during the striker’s final season and later described him as a “football icon” who had written his name into Galatasaray history.

Icardi is a specialist penalty area striker whose movement and finishing could give Moyes something different from Barry.

There would still be risks given he's never played in the Premier League, his recent knee injury requires consideration and his wages could be substantial.

If the finances and medical checks satisfy Moyes, a proven striker with 250 goals could turn a desperate free agent search into a potential statement.