Everton’s hunt for another striker has reached a stage where availability alone cannot dictate the decision. The club must also determine whether the player fits David Moyes’ plans, and Mauro Icardi has now emerged as one potential option. However, being linked with the Toffees is a long way from actually securing a deal.
Moyes’ need for another centre-forward is clear. Extra depth would provide cover, create competition for places and give the manager another attacking weapon to call upon when games need changing. Whether Icardi is the ideal solution, though, is something that must be judged on more than his reputation.
Everton could make Icardi approach
According to Read Everton, journalist Christian Vaquero reported on Tuesday that Icardi remains a free agent and that Everton “could initiate contacts in the coming days”.
That wording is important because there has been no suggestion that negotiations are already underway. Vaquero also stated that no discussions have yet taken place between the Argentine striker and Everton, meaning reports of an advanced transfer would be premature.
The 33-year-old has reportedly been offered to Everton and has subsequently become a player the club could consider. That makes him a possible recruitment avenue, but it does not indicate where he sits on Moyes’ list of potential targets.
Should Everton decide to make an initial approach, it would first allow both sides to determine whether there is enough interest to take the situation further. Until that happens, Icardi remains an option under consideration rather than a player close to joining the club.
Moyes needs more support for Thierno Barry
Read Everton has identified Thierno Barry as Moyes’ only recognised senior No. 9, leaving the manager with limited options in a position where injuries, fatigue and inconsistent form can quickly become problems.
Bringing in another striker would offer more than simple squad numbers. It could help Moyes manage Barry’s workload, provide a different attacking profile and give Everton a proven alternative when a game requires a change in approach.
The ideal addition would also provide genuine competition rather than simply acting as emergency cover. Everton need someone capable of challenging for minutes and giving Moyes another serious selection option.
Icardi’s extensive experience with Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain naturally makes his availability interesting. But Everton’s assessment would ultimately have to focus on what the forward can offer at this stage of his career and how effectively he could fit into Moyes’ system.
Icardi’s reputation cannot make the decision alone
A free transfer may remove a sizeable transfer fee, but it does not make a deal risk-free. Everton would still have to consider wages, contract length, fitness, match readiness and the role Icardi would expect to play.
Those factors would all need to align for the move to make sense. An experienced striker could provide valuable depth if he is ready to contribute immediately and accepts a clearly defined role. Conversely, a deal could become less appealing if significant time were required to get him up to speed.
There are currently no confirmed details regarding a proposed salary, contract length or potential arrival date, so those aspects remain speculative.
The biggest indication of progress would therefore be confirmation that Everton have actually opened contact with Icardi or his representatives. That would represent a meaningful step beyond simply having the free agent linked with a club searching for attacking reinforcements.
For now, Everton have a potential solution to consider while Moyes continues to look for greater depth up front. Icardi could eventually become part of that process, but the current information points to a possibility being explored rather than a transfer that is close to completion.