David Moyes 'green lights' Beto move, Everton replacement already lined up

David Moyes has given the green light for Beto to leave Everton as he closes in on a move to Fiorentina late in the transfer window.

The 28-year-old has dropped down the pecking order at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, while the Toffees' pursuit of a new striker ultimately opened the door for his exit.

Everton have ben open to cashing in on the Guinea-Bissau international since the window opened, and he is now close to finalising a move back to the Serie A.

Former West Ham scout Mick Brown, who worked closely alongside Moyes, told Football Insider that the Everton boss gave the green light for Beto to leave weeks ago.

The centre-forward is set to undergo a medical at Fiorentina, with Moyes keen to let him go after a poor season last time out where he scored nine goals in 37 league appearances.

Instead, Everton are stepping up plans to sign a new striker, with work ongoing behind the scenes and Beto's departure setting the wheels in motion for a deal.

Why are Everton aiming to cash in on Beto?

Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider earlier this month that the Toffees are ready to let Beto leave alongside their attempts to land a new striker.

Moyes has been determined to strengthen up front this summer, and following the striker's exit, there is now space in the squad for the recruitment team to accelerate.

A new striker is now being lined up behind the scenes, with Moyes happy to see the back of Beto after a frustrating spell at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

"Beto never really got going at Everton, so it's not a surprise to see he is leaving," Brown told Football Insider.

"Moyesey hasn't been happy with what he's seen from his for two seasons now, he doesn't see him as being the regular centre-forward, so he's given the green light for him to go.

"It's a big decision for Everton, because they don't have a lot of depth in that position, but they are lining up a move for a new striker.

"Moyes has been keen to strengthen his squad, and if it takes letting Beto move on for that to happen, then he will be more than happy to let him go even this late in the window.

"He wasn't seen as the first choice any more, so now it's just going to be about whether the striker they bring in is an upgrade and can do a better job."

Which other strikers are on Everton's radar?

Everton are now working hard behind the scenes to land a replacement for Beto, with the recruitment team having identified a number of big-name targets at this stage.

Monaco's USA international striker Folarin Balogun is now being heavily tipped for a move to Merseyside, with Everton having been long-term admirers of his.

This comes after Brown told Football Insider back in June that Everton have been keeping tabs on Balogun and could reignite their interest after the World Cup.

The 24-year-old snubbed interest from Premier League clubs in favour of a move to Ligue 1 in 2023, and has since scored 31 goals in 91 games for the French club.

Everton were among a those clubs to miss out on the striker when he left Arsenal, but after three years at Monaco, he could finally make the move.