Everton are looking for a new striker in the January transfer window, with Manchester United flop Joshua Zirkzee on their radar, according to reports.
Toffees boss David Moyes has chopped and changed between his two centre-forwards so far this season, with neither Beto nor Thierno Barry impressing.
Beto has managed two goals in 13 appearances across all competitions, while summer-signing Barry is yet to open his account for the club in 10 outings.
Unsurprisingly, Everton want more firepower and Sky Sports report Zirkzee is ‘high on their list of targets.’
Possibly more attractive for Everton fans is that Ivan Toney is also on the shopping list, with the England international now playing for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.
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However, the 29-year-old is on mammoth wages in Saudi and on a contract which runs until 2028, so a deal may be tricky to pull off.
A loan deal for Zirkzee may be an easier move to secure, with the Manchester United striker seemingly out of contention under Ruben Amorim.
The Netherlands international only arrived from Bologna last summer and played 49 times in all competitions last season.
He has fallen down the pecking order since the arrivals of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, though, and has made just four Premier League appearances this season, all from the bench.
His five outings in all competitions this campaign have yielded no goals.
Joshua Zirkzee Premier League stats
Apps: 36
Goals: 3
Assists: 1
The Dutchman is reportedly keen to leave on loan and get more playing time in the hope of making Netherlands’ World Cup squad next summer.
Roma have also been linked with a loan offer for him, with West Ham also reportedly interested and he is open to a move back to Italy or a stay in the Premier League.
An exit was brought into some doubt after a knee injury suffered by Sesko at the weekend, but the BBC report that the problem is not believed to be serious.
Ruben Amorim did suggest players were unlikely to leave in January, as when he was asked about the futures of Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo last month, he said: ‘That is normal, and I also know that in our club, everything is a lot of noise, and you have to have news, and players are not playing. They want to play.
‘Like you said, there’s a World Cup. There are agents that listen to the players talking all the time. So, I understand that but they are our players, and we need everyone to have a good season.’
The Sky Sports report on Everton’s striker search also mentions Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus as a player they are keen on.
The Brazilian has been out of action due to a serious knee injury since January but is nearing a return as he is now back in training.
However, Arsenal are not interested in letting him go, with Mikel Arteta welcoming more options up front as they challenge on multiple fronts this season.