Everton must accelerate January move for 21-year-old striker after his exploits vs Celtic
Everton are desperate to sign a new striker in January as David Moyes’ current options continue to falter in front of goal.
Everton look to have improved as a whole in this season compared to the last, but their main issue remains the same as years gone by.
Their strikers are still struggling to put the ball in the back of the net, with just two of their 12 goals in all competitions so far coming from a centre-forward.
Beto has scored both of those, with Everton’s summer signing from Villarreal, Thierno Barry, failing to find his feet thus far amid growing pressure to perform.
Football Insider recently revealed that David Moyes wants to replace Beto in the new year, and one summer target needs to be revisited as they aim to finish in the top-half this season.
Franculino Dju was linked to Everton in the summer amid strong Midtjylland form
Everton released Dominic Calvert-Lewin following the end of last season and so needed to bring in a new striker to bolster Moyes’ already short options.
Midtjylland striker Franculino Dju emerged as a target for Everton in the midst of a season in which he has scored 18 goals in 25 appearances across all competitions.
The 21-year-old scored regularly as Midtjylland won the Danish Superliga in 2023-24, then again last term as they finished second and reached the knockout phase of the Europa League.
Despite the Toffees’ interest, then-Midtjylland manager Thomas Thomasberg was adamant that Franculino was not for sale during the summer window, and so it proved that he remained at the club for the second half of their domestic campaign.
Everton went for Barry in early July but did not sign another new number nine to accompany him, and Moyes will surely be looking at Franculino once again after what he did on Thursday (6 November) regardless of if his compatriot Beto leaves or not.
Franculino was seriously impressive against Celtic
Midtjylland aimed to continue their 100% winning run in the Europa League this season as they welcomed Celtic to the MCH Arena in midweek.
Franculino led the line superbly throughout as the Scottish champions were put to the sword with relative ease and Midtjylland ran out 3-1 victors against Celtic following a flurry of first-half goals.
Martin Erlic and Mikel Gorgoza put the Danes two up, then the Guinea-Bissau international pounced in the 41st minute as Celtic failed to clear from long-throw and he curled the ball into the far corner of the net with aplomb.
Franculino ended his evening with a goal, three chances created, with one of those a big chance, four shots on goal and a foul drawn as he made life incredibly hard for the Hoops’ centre-backs and was taken off on the hour mark with the game already won.
He has now netted 51 times in 98 appearances for the club since joining two years ago from Benfica, and his raw finishing instincts need to be seen in royal blue soon if Everton wish to get back to competing near the top of the Premier League in the years to come.