Everton backed to agree new striker deal after £27m problem
Everton have been urged to sign a new centre-forward in January by their former Chief Executive.
David Moyes’ side had a good start to the new campaign, but their form has tailed off in recent weeks with no wins in their last four games across all competitions.
Summer signings Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish have struck up an exciting partnership, directly contributing to the majority of Everton’s goals.
However, the Toffees are still struggling at centre-forward, despite bringing in Thierno Barry from Villarreal in the transfer window.
Everton must find alternative to Beto and Thierno Barry
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that his old side must splash the cash on a striker in the January transfer window.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that the Toffees hierarchy will back Moyes in his pursuit of a centre-forward, as it is so obviously an issue that needs addressing.
Beto was criticised for his performance during Everton’s recent defeat to Liverpool, in a game where he was taken off at half-time.
Wyness added that the Guinea-Bissau international is struggling with his form, and backup Barry hasn’t delivered either, despite his £27m price tag.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, this is difficult right now. I mean, they paid around £27m for Barry, and he hasn’t really performed.
“Beto is certainly having problems with form at the moment as well, and I don’t think there’s going to be anyone in the academy who can come through.
“So you’ve got to be looking at a decision in January, which is notoriously a hard time to buy strikers.
“It’s going to be a difficult one for David, but I think he’ll get the backing in January to do something, because it’s an obvious issue.”
Beto and Barry lacking confidence for Everton
So far this season, Barry has started just one game in the Premier League, as Everton beat Brighton 2-0 in their first match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Beto has been given the nod in the Toffees’ five other top-flight encounters, but both strikers seem to be struggling with a confidence crisis.
The pair have scored just one league goal between them, Beto netting the opener in a 3-2 win over Wolves, but a more concerning stat has emerged.
| Player | Minutes Played | Goals | Shots on Target |
| Beto | 381 | 1 | 2 |
| Thierno Barry | 163 | 0 | 0 |
Barry is yet to have a single shot on target this term, in his 163 minutes of Premier League action so far, with Beto’s two shots on target in 381 minutes hardly making for better reading.
The lack of accurate attempts not only highlights the pair’s poor finishing but also a distinct lack of belief in their own ability.
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