Udinese's Beto in action with AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori
Everton reportedly have Udinese’s Beto and Bologna’s Marko Arnautovic at the ‘top of the list’ in terms of potential striker signings in this window.
The Lowdown: Calvert-Lewin injury problems
Unfortunately for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, he has struggled to keep himself fit over the last two seasons, and as such has only managed to play in ten games in total over all competitions so far this campaign, starting in just seven of those and only completing the full 90 minutes twice (Transfermarkt).
Everton’s only other striker options are Ellis Simms, who they recalled from a loan spell at Sunderland, and Neal Maupay, who has only scored once since signing from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer.
Nonetheless, it is imperative that they bring in another forward before the window closes, or risk being cut adrift at the bottom of the Premier League table.
The Latest: Two strikers eyed
As per Italian news outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, former Premier League striker Arnautovic, as well as Brazilian Beto, are ‘top of the list’ for the Goodison Park outfit in terms of trying to bring a new forward in this month.
However, both clubs that they are attached to ‘do not seem absolutely interested’ in letting them go, although there may be ‘more room for manoeuvre’ for Beto.
Udinese value the 24-year-old at around €25m (£21.9m) if they were to sell him in January.
The Verdict: Get Beto in!
Much younger than the 33-year-old at Arnautovic at 24, Beto is the player that Frank Lampard’s team should be targeting.
Toffees legend Kevin Campbell has previously urged his old club to sign a ‘robust’ striker in this window, and Beto fits the profile with what Campbell describes as a ‘big’ and ‘physical presence’.
This is emphasised by the six-foot-three colossus ranking in the 81st percentile for aerials won per game of all forwards in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, while he is also good with the ball at his feet, ranking in the 84th percentile for touches and 72nd for dribbles completed (FBRef).
His 18 goals over one-and-a-half seasons in the Serie A show that crucially, he is a goalscorer too, which is exactly what the Blues need to get themselves out of trouble.
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