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Everton’s failure to bring in another striker before the transfer deadline has left David Moyes navigating an increasingly limited free agent market.
The Toffees entered the campaign with Thierno Barry as their main striker, but Beto’s move to Fiorentina left the squad without another recognised senior centre forward.
A major move for Folarin Balogun looked likely to address the issue on deadline day, only for concerns to arise during his medical.
Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro later revealed that the American was unhappy with the way the process had unfolded and ultimately decided against completing the transfer.
Everton subsequently explored other late options, with Joshua Zirkzee and Tammy Abraham among the forwards considered, but the deadline passed without another number nine arriving.
Moyes later confirmed that Everton were assessing the free agents still available.
The manager has also stressed that he wants players capable of helping Everton push towards the upper reaches of the table, rather than simply adding another body to his squad.
That makes the situation more complicated because while there are plenty of strikers without clubs, far fewer appear ready to step straight into Premier League action.
Jamie Vardy was heavily linked with a move to Merseyside after leaving Cremonese, but the 39-year-old instead completed a move to Championship side Burnley on Sunday.
Jordan Ayew was subsequently mentioned as another experienced possibility, although the Ghana international has now joined Sheffield United.
Everton remain free to sign an unattached player, but with each passing week, a lack of match fitness becomes a bigger concern.
Anthony Martial remains among the biggest names currently available, and Everton have looked into the possibility of bringing him to Goodison Park.
Foot Mercato’s Sebastian Denis has now backed previous reports claiming that the Toffees recently held initial discussions to determine whether a Premier League return for Martial could be realistic.
Those discussions are not believed to have progressed into advanced negotiations, with no indication that Everton have presented the Frenchman with a contract offer. An unnamed Champions League club also examined the possibility of signing Martial before deciding not to take things further.
The former Manchester United forward has attracted stronger interest from France, with two unnamed Ligue 1 sides reportedly offering him contracts. One is believed to operate close to the top of the table, while the other is expected to be involved in a relegation battle.
Foot Mercato reports that neither club was Nice or Lens. Both proposals would have seen Martial take on an experienced supporting role rather than being guaranteed a starting position, but the 30-year-old turned them down.
That decision is notable given that Martial has previously shown a willingness to return to French football. He began his senior career with Lyon before moving to Monaco.
For now, he appears determined to wait for an opportunity that better fits what he wants from the next phase of his career.
Martial has been a free agent since reaching an agreement to terminate his Monterrey contract during the summer.
His time in Mexico came to an earlier-than-expected conclusion, while a dislocated shoulder also disrupted his final campaign with the club. He has not featured in a competitive fixture since playing against Cruz Azul in March and is currently working on his fitness away from a team environment.
That lack of recent competitive action would naturally concern Everton, who need someone capable of providing support for Barry as quickly as possible.
Martial is familiar with Premier League football after spending nine seasons at Manchester United and has the versatility to play through the middle or operate from the left.
For now, though, Everton’s approach appears to have been exploratory rather than a concrete attempt to complete a deal.
Martial’s decision to reject two genuine offers demonstrates that he is willing to remain patient, leaving both his next destination and Everton’s striker search unresolved.
However, it also means the door remains open for the Toffees to potentially make a move for the former Manchester United forward.