Everton may already have an early indication of what their season under David Moyes could look like, with the Toffees displaying plenty of resilience, character and unity during the opening stages of the Premier League campaign.
Those qualities are staples of a Moyes side. The Merseyside club are level with Liverpool after five league matches, remain unbeaten and have already produced memorable moments, including Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ thunderous debut strike that rescued a point against Manchester United at the death.
Yet one major question continues to hang over Everton: do they possess enough attacking firepower to seriously challenge for European football? Much of that responsibility currently rests on the shoulders of Thierno Barry.
Everton’s in-house alternatives to Barry
Barry is currently the only senior recognised striker on Everton’s books. The Frenchman showed encouraging signs after his £27m move from Villarreal last year, although his rawness was obvious enough that he could have been put in a tartare.
With Beto and Iliman Ndiaye both departing during August, Moyes has been left to explore unconventional No. 9 options, including Charly Alcaraz, Tyrique George and Brennan Johnson.
So far, Barry has started all five of Everton’s Premier League fixtures. He found the net on the opening day and scored again shortly before the international break, producing the winner against Ipswich Town.
However, the striker has also missed six big chances already, highlighting the lack of a reliable alternative. Johnson remains stuck in a prolonged spell of poor form, while George is clearly talented but still young, with his pace and explosiveness arguably more effective when deployed from the wing.
Given those circumstances, it is understandable that the Friedkin Group and technical director Angus Kinnear have looked at what options could be available in the free-agent market.
Everton to sign a free-agent striker
In reality, it does not appear particularly likely. If Everton were determined to add another striker to Moyes’ squad from the list of unattached players, they would probably have already made that move.
Much of the speculation has surrounded Mauro Icardi, who became a free agent after leaving Galatasaray when his contract expired this summer. The Argentine enjoyed four impressive seasons in Turkey, winning the Super Lig in every campaign.
At 33, Icardi is obviously no longer at the peak of his career, but it is difficult to imagine him failing to score goals at the Hill Dickinson. The biggest obstacle would undoubtedly be his enormous wage demands. Everton would have to determine whether they would get sufficient value for their investment.
There are also questions surrounding Icardi’s age and his controversial history, which has frequently followed him throughout his career.
Had Everton wanted to bring him in as direct competition for Barry, they likely would have acted already. Instead, the experienced forward appears set to explore other opportunities, despite his representatives having suggested a move to Merseyside after the regular transfer window closed.
For now, Moyes will have to work with the options available to him. That does not mean, however, that Everton are not already considering potential reinforcements for January.
Everton could see £20m bid accepted for Barry upgrade
Barry undoubtedly possesses talent, but he is still developing and may struggle to maintain the level of consistency Everton would need to secure European football this season.
That could give Kinnear and the Everton hierarchy an opportunity to address the issue during the January window. Football Insider has reported that Everton could potentially see a £20m bid accepted for Tottenham striker Richarlison, with Spurs reportedly prepared to reduce their previous £35m asking price.
Richarlison has fallen out of favour in north London. Despite ending last season as the relegation-threatened side’s leading Premier League scorer, finding the net 10 times in 21 starts, he has subsequently been pushed to the fringes by Roberto De Zerbi after attempting to secure a move away during the summer.
Everton had hoped a deal could materialise previously, but the two sides ultimately failed to reach an agreement. Now, however, the 29-year-old is determined to find a club capable of providing stability and giving him the platform to rediscover his best form.
And if that is what he wants, there would be an obvious attraction to returning to the Hill Dickinson. Richarlison already knows the club inside out, having scored 53 goals and registered 15 assists in 152 appearances during his previous spell with the Toffees.
There is little doubt that the Brazilian still has plenty to offer, and his Premier League experience and proven goalscoring record could potentially see him move ahead of Barry as Everton’s first-choice striker during the crucial second half of the season.
Barry has plenty of potential, but he is still far from being the finished article. Richarlison, by contrast, would provide a completely different profile and experience.
During his four Premier League seasons with Everton, the Brazilian scored 43 goals, reaching double figures in three of those four campaigns.
If the financial package and personal terms prove manageable, Everton would have every reason to explore a reunion with their former forward. Richarlison is reportedly keen on a return, and a move back to Merseyside could give Everton a more proven No. 9 option alongside Barry.